George Eustace (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has told LBC this morning that a Scotch Egg should be classed as a ‘substantial meal’ as confusion continues in the hospitality sector ahead of the change from a national lockdown to a three tier approach to COVID-19 restrictions in England on Wednesday.
Mr Eustace told LBC: “I think a scotch egg probably would count as a substantial meal if there were table service, and often that might be as a starter.”
Government guidance released over the weekend states:
- pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
- hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:
- provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol
- close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport services and motorway service areas are exempt)
- stop taking orders after 10pm
- hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
PHOTO CREDIT: The Handmade Scotch Egg Company
