Indoor hospitality and recreation venues (including restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms and beauty salons) were identified as locations associated with increased risk of virus transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic (319). As policies on face coverings (including face masks) in public places were implemented in many jurisdictions during the COVID-19 pandemic (320, 321), these venues represented locations in which “mask-off” activities such as eating, drinking and exercising still occurred outside individual residences.

• In indoor settings where mask-off activities can occur, measures to reduce the risk of influenza transmission (for example, restricting business hours, setting maximum capacities, requiring proof of a negative test and/or vaccination, mask wearing where possible and physical distancing) could be considered based on pandemic severity, the potential for influenza transmission in these settings and desired transmission-related outcomes.
• Often workplace measures applied to customers will also apply to the employees in these settings.
• As potential influenza transmission rates vary widely across different indoor hospitality and recreational settings, countries should consider the probability of influenza transmission for each specific setting.