Coronavirus: Cafe hangs shower curtains to protect customers from coronavirus in hope of reopening

The curtains are meant to reduce human contact while allowing diners to see one another, says owner

Shower curtains and air purifiers have been installed by a café owner as a way of protecting customers from contracting Covid-19.

Francini Osorio, 48, says he has spent £2,000 over 30 shower curtains and air purifiers to prepare for the reopening of Francini Café De Colombia in Worcester.

The see-through shower curtains will be hung between tables in the cafe in a bid to reduce contact between diners as they eat and drink, Mr Osorio says.

The father-of-one, originally from Colombia, hopes the curtains will protect customers from the disease while still allowing them to see one another.

“Where I come from we don’t sink, we stand up and we keep going,” Osorio said. “The idea is to keep people together but separated by the curtains.

“If this has inspired people, that’s brilliant.”

All bars and restaurants remain closed for eating or drinking in after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a nationwide lockdown on 23 March.

Earlier this month, the government announced an easing of lockdown restrictions; people are now allowed to see one person from another household and take unlimited exercise.

A domestic travel ban was also lifted, meaning people can now drive to beaches and beauty spots provided they return home on the same day.

The government will review lockdown measures again on 1 July and may further ease restrictions if the coronavirus transmission rate – or the R – stays below one.

Officials have not yet given a date as to when restaurants may reopen, but Mr Osorio has already trialled the new system in preparation.

On 11 May the government released new guidelines aimed at helping businesses to keep their staff safe once they reopen.

There was no guidance for businesses on how to protect their customers from contracting the disease.

Additional reporting by Press Association