Very interesting - particularly the comment that devices on the market that are not regulated as medical devices should not be used for diagnosis.

How many "thermal scanners/infa-red thermometers" do you reckon have been bought based upon potential miss-selling?

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:

"As pubs and restaurants begin to reopen, it’s important businesses do not rely on temperature screening tools and other products which do not work."

"The best way to protect customers (of pubs and restaurants) and minimise the risk of catching the virus is to always follow social distancing guidelines, wearing a face mask on public transport and enclosed public spaces, and regularly washing your hands."

Got to love how the government gets stuck on stock responses. What has wearing a mask on public transport got to do with protecting customers in your pub or restaurant? Are they saying that pubs and restaurants are to check whether their customers wore a mask on their way to the premises?

...and hand washing regularly without moisturising renders the skin barrier less effective and thus easier to colonise by transient, potentially infective, micro-organisms. So wash-rinse-dry-moisturise should be the slogan if you wish to go that way. I also have studies from the healthcare sector showing that alcohol sanisitsers are also more effective in infection prevention and do not damage the skin. epic3, the NICE accredited guide for NHS England on infection prevention in recommendation SP7 re hand decontamination states alcohol sanitiser except for two very specific situations.

Originally Posted by: Kate

I am going to take the unusual step of defending comments made by a government minister (as quoted above).

The customers of the pubs and restaurants are, we hope, not driving home after their drinks and may take the bus instead.  If their fellow passengers are wearing face-coverings, this gives some reduction in the risk of said customers catching the virus as a result of their evening out.

Whilst that is a very valid point, I very much doubt that was on the minister's mind when he made the statement. It doesn't read that it is aimed at the customers. It reads that it is aimed at the pubs and restaurants. The people running these establishments have no control on what their customers are doing outside of their premises.