User:John Cummings/Articles/Eat Out to Help Out

Eat Out to Help Out was a UK government scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic which paid up to 50% of people's eat in restaurant bills, it caused an 8%-17% increase in COVID infections.

Launch
The scheme was created by Rishi Sunak and cost £500 million, the scheme required people to eat at the restaurant and did not cover take away despite equal value to the restaurant.

From 3 to 31 August 2020

a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks

a maximum of £10 discount per person

the restaurants in the scheme gave the discounts and then claimed reimbursement from the government.

HM Revenue and Customs launched a restaurant finder app for people to locate participating businesses.

Increase in COVID-19 cases caused
The scheme caused an 8%-17% increase in COVID infections.

Withdrawal
The scheme was withdrawn

The scheme did not have a longer lasting impact on restaurant sales, when the scheme ended restaurants visits declined.


 * https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-eat-out-to-help-out-accelerated-second-wave-of-covid-19-study-says-12118285
 * https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/30/treasury-rejects-theory-eat-out-to-help-out-caused-rise-in-covid
 * https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/centres/cage/news/30-10-20-eat_out_to_help_out_scheme_drove_new_covid_19_infections_up_by_between_8_and_17_new_research_finds/
 * https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eat-out-to-help-out-increased-coronavirus-infection-rates-study-finds-rwd3qd6gw
 * https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-discount-with-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme