Reopening ‘must be driven by safety' as it is revealed male chefs some of the most at risk of coronavirus
The reopening of venues "must be driven by safety", UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has said, as data reveals that among men, chefs have been found to have raised rates of death involving Covid-19.
According to data analysed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), male chefs accounted statistically for 35.9 deaths per 100,000. So-called 'low-skilled' service occupations also had higher rates, which included jobs such as hospital porters, kitchen and catering assistants, and waiters.
Nicholls said: "These figures are shocking and we urge the government to consider the factors in play behind the data. It shows that any reopening of venues must be driven by safety rather than any other factor."
Some experts have concluded that Covid-19 exposure will be highest among occupations involving frequent and close interaction with others. ONS data also published today suggested that the nature of roles like bar staff and chefs requiring close contact with people means employees in these occupations may therefore be more likely to come into contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Hotel and accommodation workers were estimated to be lower risk due to less physical proximity to others.
The Prime Minister today confirmed that when hospitality businesses start to reopen from 4 July at the earliest, social distancing would need to be in place along with further ‘Covid-19 Secure' measures to be announced later today.
Photo: Shutterstock
Hospitality businesses could open from July as coronavirus lockdown measures relaxed >>
