Pubs and restaurants to close in new national lockdown – and takeaway pints are now BANNED

PUBS and restaurants are to close next week under strict new lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson.

The prime minister announced the new measures in a live TV address today as the government attempts to combat a surge in coronavirus cases.

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From midnight on Thursday, pubs will close their doors and crucially will not be able to serve takeaway booze – unlike during the first lockdown.

New Government guidelines says restaurants, bars and pubs can still provide “takeaway and delivery services” – but added that “takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed”.

Industry experts warned that pubs, restaurants and bars have already been “brought to their knees” by Covid restrictions.

Today CAMRA’s National Chairman, Nik Antona said: “The second lockdown is a devastating blow for an industry that is already on its knees.

“Pubs across the country have already invested thousands to reopen COVID-safe environments despite facing seriously reduced incomes.”

“We also need a clear route map out of lockdown which is based on evidence, otherwise we will see many pubs and breweries close their doors forever.”

Last week, Campaign For Real Ale warned that many pubs and breweries would struggle to survive the next few months without government support and funding.

Boris Johnson has told the nation they must “stay at home” for four weeks from Thursday in a fresh lockdown to “protect the NHS and save lives”.

The lockdown is set to last from Thursday until December 2 in an attempt to save the nation’s Christmas.

Tonight, Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said: “What is clear that in terms of deaths over the winter, there is the potential for this to be twice as bad in comparison to the first wave.”

Today’s latest figures show Britain has passed one million coronavirus cases, with 46,555 deaths.

Supermarkets won’t have to follow the Welsh example of fencing off non-essential goods.

During the first national lockdown announced at the end of March, non-essential retailers included electronics and clothing stores.

Today’s latest figures show Britain has passed one million coronavirus cases, with 46,555 deaths.

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Which businesses can remain open?

Only a small group of retailers were allowed to stay open during the first lockdown.

This list of businesses is expected to remain the same, which includes:

• Supermarkets
• Pharmacies
• Takeaways and food deliveries
• Health shops
• Medical services – eg, dentists
• Vets
• Newsagents
• Pet shops
• Hardware stores
• Retail shops in hospitals
• Petrol stations
• Bicycle shops
• Laundrettes and dry cleaners
• Undertakers
• Banks, building societies
• Short-term loan providers, credit unions and cash points
• Storage and distribtion centres
• Post Offices
• Car rental services and car parks near vital services such as supermarkets
• Public toilets
• Car garages and repair shops
• Food banks and shelters

Brits reacted to the rumours of a second lockdown by hitting the shops and panic buying loo roll and milk, while also making plans to flee out of cities to the countryside in the event of another lockdown.

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The measures are, in effect, a new “tier 4” that will be imposed for a month from this Thursday until December 2.

But the Prime Minister will face a huge Tory rebellion from his backbenchers – who are determined to fight another national shutdown.

They will have to vote on the national measures before they can come into force.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk