Pubs and bars will be allowed to show live sport on television when they reopen in England from 4 July, though many may choose not to do so as they attempt to adhere to government guidelines.
Boris Johnson announced last week that pubs would be able to open under regulations limiting contact between staff and customers to reduce the possibility of Covid-19’s resurgence.
However, they will be encouraged to keep noise at a minimum in order to discourage shouting, which is thought to increase the spread of the virus, so volume on the TV may be much lower than normal, or even turned off.
Pubs may even choose not to show live sport such as the Premier League in order to avoid potential factors for increased transmission like loud cheering.
In information for pub owners, the government says: “All venues should ensure that steps are taken to avoid people needing to unduly raise their voices to each other.
“This includes, but is not limited to, refraining from playing music or broadcasts that may encourage shouting, including if played at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult.
“This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission, particularly from aerosol transmission. We will develop further guidance, based on scientific evidence, to enable these activities as soon as possible.
“You should take similar steps to prevent other close contact activities, such as communal dancing.”
