A PUB chain has announced it will open as soon as it is given the go-ahead by the Government.

JD Wetherspoon has revealed plans to introduce screens and social distancing measures to allow its Brighton branches to open as soon as possible.

Matt Scott, manager at The Post and Telegraph in North Street, Brighton, said: “At present the Government has not confirmed any reopening date for pubs. However, it is important that we are prepared for any announcement.

“We have spent a number of weeks consulting with staff who work in our pubs, as well as area managers in order to draw up our plans. The safety of staff and customers is paramount.”

The business, which has four pubs in Brighton and Hove, will carry out a daily health assessment on all staff, checking their temperature using a digital thermometer to make sure they are “fit to work”.

They will all be given the option to wear gloves, masks and eyewear provided by Wetherspoon.

It has also said it will hire two full-time staff at each site to “regularly clean surfaces and touch points throughout the pubs”.

Each pub will have an average of ten hand sanitiser dispensers and staff will be asked to make sure that customers are adhering to social distancing rules by staying two metres away from anyone who is not from their household.

Customers are being asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app wherever contact to limit contact between themselves and staff.

Bar staff will only hold the base of drinks glasses then place them on the table when delivering them to customers.

A slightly reduced menu will be on offer, and condiment sachets will be provided instead of the usual bottles.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said that the company has “has undertaken extensive employee consultation and has also consulted with many of its suppliers and contractors, as well as referring to UK Hospitality guidelines” when looking to introduce these measures.