What do the New Welsh COVID Restrictions Mean for You?

Mike Drakeford, the First Minister for Wales, has announced that groups of no more than six people will be allowed to mix in restaurants, pubs, and cinemas from the 26th December 2021 in Wales. This announcement has understandably sent shockwaves through the Welsh hospitality industry. 

Our focus at Epos Now is making the lives of our customers easier with accessible and affordable EPOS systems. With that in mind, in this blog, we’re going to lay out the new restrictions, explain what they might mean for your business, and offer ways that we can help. 

Why are there new restrictions?

Since the COVID omicron variant was first detected in the UK in November, its spread has been quick and comprehensive. As of the 23rd December 2021, there are now 4,662 new cases reported in Wales [1]. In response to this, the Welsh government has decided to bring more restrictions to try to curtail the spread of the omicron variant as much as possible. 

While the omicron variant seems to be more contagious than other documented strains of COVID, it appears to present less danger to vaccinated people [2]. Unfortunately, this may mean that it may prove a higher risk for unvaccinated people. 

What are the new COVID rules?

As mentioned above, the new restrictions come into force from the 26th December [3]. These restrictions apply to all public places. 

The restrictions are*: 

• No spectators will be allowed at any sports events. This includes indoor, outdoor, professional and community events.
• 2 metre social distancing rules will be required in offices and public premises 
• A maximum of six people can meet in any public premises 
• Licensed premises will be required to take “additional reasonable measures” to protect their customers and staff 
• A maximum of 30 people can attend indoor events and a maximum of 50 people can attend outdoor events 
• While it won’t be required, attendees at weddings, funerals, and wakes should take a lateral flow test before the event
• Nightclubs must close for the foreseeable future

While there will not be any hard borders enforced between England and Wales, anyone planning to visit Wales will be required to take these new restrictions into account. 

How we can help

If you’re in the hospitality industry, you’d be forgiven for having some worries about the new restrictions. COVID-19 has not been kind to the industry and many businesses have needed to adapt to survive. Here at Epos Now, we’re committed to ensuring that our customers have access to the tools they need to succeed. 

For many in the hospitality industry, embracing table service and delivery allowed them to keep afloat while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions. There are solutions to these challenges.

Order & Pay

Powered by Yeollo, Order & Pay is an easy-to-use online service that makes ordering and delivery simple. 

Order & Pay uses QR codes to allow your customers to order and pay straight from their table. This helps them stick to the 2 metre social distance rule as there’s no need to get up and move around. 

Order & Pay also allows businesses to offer delivery and collection services. Once it’s set, orders are received directly on your Epos Now hardware. This means you won’t get hit with the fees that come with other delivery apps. Click and collect means your customers can get their order at a time that’s convenient to you. If your business doesn’t have the space to enforce social distancing, these options allow you to stay open. 

NOWpay Pro+

Our new portable payment system, the NOWpay Pro+, operates as a handheld EPOS system. This means that you’re no longer tied down to having one static system and can bring your all-in-one EPOS system straight to the customer.

Thanks to its contactless payment system and the fact that it can be easily brought over to the customer, there are fewer touchpoints in any given transaction. In a regular table service transaction, there are many opportunities for unneeded contact between your staff and customers. The NOWpay Pro+ protects staff and customers by giving them more flexibility in how they take orders and receive payments. 

Since the NOWpay Pro+ fits into the palm of your hand, you can set up your business anywhere. In terms of COVID prevention, this means that you could potentially take orders and payments outside of your business while keeping the inside closed to the public. The less indoor mixing, the better. 

Epos Now Delivery 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many restaurants have pivoted to include delivery options. For many, this was a lifeline that kept them buoyant during the initial lockdowns. Our delivery service, Epos Now Delivery, is powered by Deliverect and is designed with ease in mind. 

The Epos Now Delivery system seamlessly integrates with your existing EPOS setup and allows you to reach your customers on their favourite delivery apps. It’s easy to set your restaurant up on popular apps like Deliveroo, Just Eats, and UberEats. This could open up a valuable revenue stream if the worst happens and you have to close your brick-and-mortar location to the public. 

Get in touch

We want to make sure that your business is properly prepared for the coming restrictions. Our expert team is standing by and are ready to help your business adjust. 

Get in touch today and see how we can help. 

*All information is accurate as of 23/12/2021