Coronavirus: No 10 denies boozy lunch Tier 2 loophole claim

Downing Street today poured cold water on claims that a loophole allows boozy business lunches to carry on under the guise of “essential meetings”.

Sources confirmed an exemption to holding meetings in hospitality settings does exist — but mainly for freelancers who do not have offices.

A government source said: “It’s not an excuse to break the rules. The rules are there for a reason.”

Meeting people outside your household inside pubs and restaurants is not allowed under the Tier 2 restrictions in London.

But up to 30 may meet indoors for work purposes, providing the venue follows Covid guidelines.

No 10 said: “There’s an exemption which was included in recognition of the fact there are freelancers who don’t have office space and rely on being able to see clients in hospitality.”

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