Small businesses have asked for urgent clarity on the government’s order for Britons to avoid social contact in their premises.
Earlier on Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson called for people to avoid non-essential social contact in pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues.
Several owners and workers have expressed worry at the losses they will now incur from the government’s advice. Some took to Twitter to demand the government mandates their closure so they can claim for losses from insurance companies.
What a cowardly position to take. What a dereliction of duty. To pass on the decision to confused small business owners, performers and consumers. He has chosen to protect the insurance industry. Suspect he will have to go back on this anyway and it looks terrible.
— Lucy Prebble (@lucyprebblish) March 16, 2020
Johnson signs death warrant on the pub industry. If you tell ask our customers to stay away but don't instruct us to close we cannot claim on insurance but cannot pay our bills.
— Kate Ahrens (@kateahr) March 16, 2020
