LANDLORDS have expressed their disappointment at the latest coronavirus restrictions announced by government.

One Brighton pub owner described the measures outlined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “a slap in the face”.

While another local publican was concerned about the new requirement for bar staff to wear face masks.

The latest measures place a 10 pm curfew on all pubs from Thursday, just months after they were given the green light to reopen.

The Brighton Tavern has only been open a week but owner Tony Ford fears the latest measures mean a second lockdown is imminent.

He said: “It scares me that the pub might be getting closed down again.

“The message from the government is very confusing, hence our delay in opening - we weren’t sure what was best for our staff or our customers.

“We were one of the last ones to open in the area and now we are faced with this already.

“It is a bit of a slap in the face for taking so long to make their minds up.”

In March, Boris Johnson signalled the beginning of lockdown, ordering the closure of all pubs, clubs and restaurants across the UK, in order to stem the spread of the virus.

Almost four months later, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers were allowed to reopen but with strict social distancing rules in place.

Pubs are legally required to take customers' contact details so they can be traced if there is an outbreak.

The new rules mean they can be fined up to £10,000 if they take reservations of more than six, do not enforce social distancing, or do not take customers' contact details.

Further measures mean bar and waiting staff have to wear masks as well as customers when they are not seated at a table to eat or drink.

The new penalty for not wearing a mask or breaking the ''rule of six'' has doubled to £200 for a first offence.

Peter Waters manages the Market Inn, Brighton and said forcing bar staff to wear masks will be the hardest restriction to comply with.

He said: “In hospitality, when you are on the go non-stop, battling to breathe through a mask is just ridiculous.”

The Argus asked readers whether the new restrictions would deter them from taking a trip to their local bar.

One wrote on Twitter that the latest measures would make “no difference” and that they would only encourage members of the public to drink earlier.