Urinals could soon be a thing of the past if ministers opt to listen to proposed safety guidelines in an effort to re-open Britain's pubs, it's been reported.
UK Hospitality's 47-page draft document suggests "closing urinals" or adding a "divider between them", according to The Sun.
The trade group has put forward the potential guidelines after consulting with multiple industry leaders, while other proposals include no drinking at the bar and introducing smoking area patrols.
The document said: “As part of your risk assessment, have a plan specifically for communicating and controlling access to customer toilets to ensure compliance with physical distancing rules and ensure all staff are aware.
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“Cleaning regimes for toilet facilities should be more frequent than under normal circumstances and using disinfectants and sanitisers that are effective against bacteria as well as cold and flu viruses.
“Examples of other considerations include looking at closing urinals to maintain safe distancing levels if practicable, or installing some form of divider between them.”
Earlier this month, Boris Johnson said some hospitality firms could be able to reopen from July 4 at the earliest in the Government's third phase of the lockdown.
Pubs, restaurants and hotels have remained closed since shutting their doors in March, with vast numbers of staff supported by the Government's furlough scheme.
In the draft guidance, hospitality businesses clarified that they "do not wish to move ahead with reopening before the time is right" and support a phased reopening approach.
The proposals for restaurants suggest that condiments would not be left on tables, with individually wrapped sauces and condiments handed out by staff on request.
Restaurants would also need to bring cutlery with customers' food, rather than leave them on tables or allow customers to help themselves.
Tables would also be spaced in the restaurant to meet social distancing guidelines.
Meanwhile, the guidance suggests that "restrictions on customers remaining at the bar after ordering and getting their drink" should be considered.
It also proposed that customers are "discouraged" from returning empty glasses, customers are told to keep a safe distance away from bar staff and they will have to form a socially-distanced queue for orders.
Tape on the floor showing the appropriate distance needed and customers collecting drinks from a pick up point are also among the measures suggested.
Pubs will also have to put in place a plan for toilets to ensure they don't become overcrowded - including the urinal suggestion.
