A NEW coronavirus law affecting pubs, cafes and restaurants will come into force on Friday.

A formal change in the rules around the NHS Test and Trace scheme will mean venues will HAVE to take contact details for people who are eating in or having a drink but does not apply to takeaway customers.

A lot of businesses have been taking these details already on a voluntary basis but, from Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said it will be a legally requirement.

The rule also applies to other hospitality businesses, close contact venues such as beauty salons and barbers and tourist attractions such as zoos, cinemas and bowling alleys.

Businesses will have to keep information for 21 days and hand it over to NHS Test and Trace when asked to do so.

Those who decline to offer details could be refused entry as there will be fines for organisations that do not comply.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "NHS Test and Trace is a vital part of the government’s response to fighting coronavirus, designed to help us return to a more normal way of life and reduce the need for local lockdowns in the future.

"The system cannot operate without the cooperation of business. We are now mandating venues collect the necessary contact details and support NHS Test and Trace to stop the spread of the virus."

The contact details include: name, contact number, date of visit, arrival time, and departure time.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: "Each and every one of us needs to play our part to control the virus and avoid a second deadly peak.

"While the vast majority of businesses have done an incredible job by following the guidance to keep customers safe, we are now making it the law for certain establishments to collect life-saving NHS Test and Trace data and to keep this on record for 21 days.

"We need to take these tough measures now to reduce the risk of local lockdowns in the future. If we don’t all pull together to drive this virus down, businesses will need to close and people’s jobs will be put at serious risk."