'We don't have any plans to do that'

A UK government minister has rebuked claims that pubs and restaurants will be forced to close in a trade-off to allow schools to reopen in September, insisting that no such plans exist. 

Interviewed on Times Radio this morning, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick responded to claims that pubs might be closed after a rise in coronavirus transmissions, saying that this was not on the cards. 

The questions came after a BBC press briefing last week. during which the country's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty said that "trade-offs" may be necessary as we reach the limits of what we can open whilst keeping the virus at bay. 

When asked on the BBC's Today programme whether this could mean pubs and restaurants could be closed, Prof Medley, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) sub-group on pandemic modelling, said this was "quite possible."

Then, Prof Calum Semple, another Sage member, said it is probable that the UK will seee a second wave of the virus in October, and that "some hard decisions will need to be made about what restrictions need to be reintroduced".

"Whether that's potentially the pubs and the hospitality sector taking a hit in preference to education will be a political decision," he added.

However, Allyson Pollock, a professor of Public Health at Newcastle University, said the idea of trade-offs was a mere "diversion" and that she did not think this was the right tactic to control the virus - and that instead a "coherent testing strategy" on the government's part should help avoid such trade-offs.

Perhaps an indication of public sentiment, a poll on Good Morning Britain's Twitter page indicated that a majority of people would accept pub closures for schools to reopen: 

The government has been warned by scientists that there will have to be a 'trade-off' for schools to re-open.

So, should pubs close to allow schools to re-open in September?

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 2, 2020

However, such an outcome would be disastruous for pubs across the UK, who were already disappearing at an alarming rate before the pandemic, and whose footfall has suffered as customers remain cautious of indoor interactions. 

Striking a more lighthearted tone in the face of such a prospect, one social media user suggested an alternative solution some might get on side with: 

Unless I've misread the situation, the solution is either teaching in pubs or drinking in schools.

— whatonomy (@whatonomy) August 2, 2020

What are your thoughts? Should pubs be closed to allow schools to reopen? Let us know what you think in the comments below!