A NEW coronavirus law affecting how people eat out will come into force on Friday.

The rule for pubs, cafes and restaurants will also apply to other hospitality business, close contact venues such as beauty salons and tourist attractions such as zoos.

The next change will make a difference to anyone planning on eating or drinking in a venue from this Friday.

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It could also apply to anyone getting a haircut, or visiting a cinema, bowling alley or amusement arcade.

The change in the law means that all venues will have to take contact details for people who are eating or drinking in, but not those taking away.

Watford Observer: The new coronavirus law could also impact those getting their hair doneThe new coronavirus law could also impact those getting their hair done

Until now that step has been voluntary, but from Friday Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it becomes mandatory.

The rule, which will defined later this week, could also apply if you step into a barbers to get your hair cut, or walk into a cinema to watch a film.

Businesses will have to keep information for 21 days and hand it over to NHS Test and Trace when asked to do so.

If you do not provide details you may be refused entry, and there will be also fixed penalties for organisations that do not comply.

Venues could be fined if they fail to ensure their premises remain COVID-secure, such as failing to take specified steps to collect contact information or taking bookings for groups of more than six.

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Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "NHS Test and Trace is a vital part of the government’s response to fighting coronavirus, designed to help us return to a more normal way of life and reduce the need for local lockdowns in the future.

"The system cannot operate without the cooperation of business. We are now mandating venues collect the necessary contact details and support NHS Test and Trace to stop the spread of the virus."

The new rules mean organisations will be legally required to request the contact details of every customer and visitor on their premises.

Venues must keep a record of all staff working on the premises on a given day and their contact details.

Watford Observer: The new rules mean organisations will be legally required to request the contact details of every customerThe new rules mean organisations will be legally required to request the contact details of every customer

These will be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested.

The contact details include: name, contact number, date of visit, arrival time, and departure time.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: "Each and every one of us needs to play our part to control the virus and avoid a second deadly peak.

"While the vast majority of businesses have done an incredible job by following the guidance to keep customers safe, we are now making it the law for certain establishments to collect life-saving NHS Test and Trace data and to keep this on record for 21 days.

"We need to take these tough measures now to reduce the risk of local lockdowns in the future. If we don’t all pull together to drive this virus down, businesses will need to close and people’s jobs will be put at serious risk."