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(CNN) -
Is it possible to make bars safe in a pandemic?
An experiment in Scotland last summer failed in that regard, according to new research published Monday in the
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Despite government guidance and bar owners' efforts to implement safety measures, customers and staff failed to comply with even the simplest measures aimed at preventing the spread, especially when customers were intoxicated. , the researchers found.
With some places back up and running for indoor dining in cities like New York and Portland, many US business owners are working to make the experience as safe as possible, something Scottish researchers found may not be. so easy.
After a closure in the UK, bars in Scotland were allowed to reopen in July under new guidelines, including keeping customer groups at least one meter apart, keeping all customers seated and requiring staff to wear face covers.
Niamh Fitzgerald, a professor at the University of Stirling in Scotland, and her colleagues visited 29 bars to see how these security measures worked in practice.
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"It was essentially about understanding what the risks are and how successful our bars and pubs are in controlling those risks," Fitzgerald said.
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Security measures faded
The team found that staff did not consistently wear face covers, and some pulled down their masks to speak to customers, perhaps defeating the purpose.
While most facilities were able to restructure their layout to accommodate a one meter distance between tables, many still had overcrowding issues.
“It was very difficult for them to completely remove what we call 'hitch points', so there were tight areas in most places, be it in the entrances, in the hallways or in the bathrooms, where it was difficult for the Customers avoid approaching, ”Fitzgerald said.
One installation covered the bar counter with black and yellow tape and a warning to stay away, but customers still huddled around the counter.
"None of the clients acknowledged that the tape was there," the researchers wrote.
Much of the risk the team observed was at night, when customers were drinking.
The researchers note that alcohol consumption can affect a person's hearing, vision and judgment, making it physically difficult to comply with safety measures.
It can also lower inhibitions, making people just worry less about complying.
The team saw people jumping from table to table, touching each other and singing or yelling.
Some clients made new friends in unexpected places.
"Two women from different groups ... collided outside the bathroom and started screaming, hugging and jumping together," the team wrote.
"Then they went into the bathrooms and went into a cubicle together, then they were observed washing their hands for about two seconds when they left, even though there were signs everywhere recommending a 20-second hand wash."
READ:
Masks against covid-19: which one is best for you and when to use it
The team described a very drunk woman asking a handsome waiter to take a photo with her.
He obeyed, after which she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him.
In all but one case, staff were unable to stop such behavior, Fitzgerald said.
"We found that, for the most part, they didn't even try."
In an industry where the customer is always right, it can be difficult for staff to lay down the law when it comes to coronavirus precautions.
In interviews with business owners, many told investigators that they are used to driving people intoxicated.
"I think the level of intervention is probably, at least in Scotland, when people are very drunk and disorderly," Fitzgerald said.
«Whereas, the level of intoxication in which this type of behavior occurs is at a stage where people are too friendly;
they just have fun.
This is not the type of situation where staff would have had to intervene previously.
"There is this kind of new expectation of behavior that neither customers nor staff have really adapted to," he added.
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The coronavirus has led us to take a series of measures to protect ourselves from contagion.
But do they really work?
Look at the gallery → 1. Disinfection floor mats, cover shoes, disinfect soles, disinfect car tires |
The consensus among the experts we consulted is that these measures do not work.
(Credit: CESAR MANSO / AFP via Getty Images)
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However, disinfecting shoes or leaving them at the entrance of the house can prevent dirt and contaminants from entering.
(Credit: ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images)
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2. Clean the shopping bags |
The experts we consulted say that cleaning shopping bags does not work, but there is discussion.
(Credit: Oli Scarff / Getty Images)
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"The probability that the virus is stuck in the bag is low ... What is important is to wash your hands after picking up the bags. It is not the bags that transmit, it is the hands," explained a doctor.
Although contagion from surfaces is possible, it is very rare.
(Credit: Rob Carr / Getty Images)
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3. Take the temperature |
It does not work against covid-19.
According to one expert, "In general, the virus is not a highly fever-producing virus. (Credit: Anthony Devlin / Getty Images)
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In very few cases you are producing a fever and when you have a fever you feel unwell, it is likely that you will not go outside. "The percentage of people who transmit the virus and have a fever is very low, said another doctor. (Credit: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images)
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4. Do not touch elevator buttons and other surfaces in high traffic places |
The key is to wash your hands after going out, when you touch surfaces, before touching your face, eating, etc.
(Credit: ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)
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The surfaces of crowded places have always been a source of infections, so that is why hand washing is essential.
(Credit: MLADEN ANTONOV / AFP via Getty Images)
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5. Sanitize money |
The bills and coins that are passed from hand to hand are vehicles of dirt and microorganisms, but perhaps disinfecting them is not such a good idea.
(Credit: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)
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In addition to the fact that disinfecting the banknotes can damage the paper, the problem is not there.
We insist: wash your hands every time you touch these types of objects.
(Credit: SAM PANTHAKY / AFP via Getty Images)
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6. Take off your clothes when you get home and wear anti-fluid clothing |
Anti-fluid clothing does help prevent the virus from sticking to fabric.
Those used by doctors and health personnel should not leave the hospital.
It also works for people who are in busy environments.
A doctor explains that "if one comes from the street and has to change clothes, no".
"But the same if the virus sticks to clothing, then nothing happens, because the clothing does not jump because it has no mobility," he adds.
(Credit: ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images)
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7- What DOES work?
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We have known this since the beginning of the pandemic: avoid conglomerations, privilege outdoor activities and not closed spaces, avoid meetings with many people and yes, wash your hands.
(Credit: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
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Maintaining social distancing and wearing masks also works.
(Credit: GEOFF CADDICK / AFP via Getty Images)
Mitigate risk
Fitzgerald believes that bars can mitigate a certain level of risk by clearly communicating expectations and trying to create an atmosphere of "self-control" among patrons.
Although unlike places like supermarkets or retail stores, bars are inherently social spaces, and efforts to make them less social can result in fewer customers.
Governments can help eliminate risk by implementing mitigation measures, such as curfews, Fitzgerald noted.
After a large outbreak in August linked to more than 20 bars and restaurants in the Scottish city of Aberdeen, researchers noted that Scotland tightened its guidelines.
The country mandated the collection of customer information for contact tracing and banned background music at venues, to prevent people from having to yell or get close to hear each other.
Of course, there is no way to eliminate risk completely.
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“We are really seeing, right now, are the transmission rates low enough that we can tolerate this level of risk and have confidence that if there is any transmission, we can track it and we can deal with it without it becoming a bigger problem? ”Fitzgerald said.
Many business owners know very well that staying closed during the pandemic can be financially devastating.
"I suppose governments may need to think about what support is available for those facilities, so they don't feel compelled to open if they really don't believe they can operate safely," he added.
Covid-19