Mixed emotions for unvaccinated hospitality staff as they return to work

Gerry Light, assistant general secretary with Mandate: "We’ve only a short few weeks to make sure that ventilation systems are fit for purpose for when indoor [service] returns, because we know now that a bad ventilation system can actually assist in the spread of the virus."

As young workers get ready to return to their hospitality jobs over the coming weeks many of them share a common emotion — a heightened sense of nervousness, and their union is warning that they are right to be fearful.

While the country's vaccination programme is now well underway — unlike previous reopenings — to date only 15% of the population is fully vaccinated. The vast majority of people in their 20s, who fill the bulk of hospitality roles, have yet to receive their first vaccine dose.