BRITS will be able to grab a pint at their local ‘Spoons from April 12 when boozers can reopen under Boris Johnson’s lockdown roadmap.
The PM unveiled his four-step plan for unlocking the nation last month, and pubs can start serving outside food and drink under step two of four.
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We’re already a week into step one of the blueprint, with kids back at schools and two people from different households able to meet outside for a coffee or a picnic.
But his roadmap could be pushed back if Covid cases rise or a new variant of the virus emerges.
If all goes to plan, Brits can grab a drink or a bite to eat at pubs and restaurants on April 12 onwards – as long as they sit outside.
Wetherspoons has announced it will open almost 400 pubs in England for outdoor service as soon as its given the go-ahead to.
The pub chain has 875 pubs in total across the UK, but not all have outdoor space so won’t be able to welcome customers back until later. In total, 394 ‘Spoons pubs will open.
You can check if your local is opening in our round-up here, or you can use the pub’s locator tool on its website.
But what are the rules you have to follow? We explain six rules you need to know ahead of time:
1. Test and trace
When you arrive at your local ‘Spoons, you’ll have to handover contact details which will be put into a track and trace system.
This is the same system that was in place when pubs and restaurants reopened last July.
Customers can either sign into the track and trace system on the app when they enter the pub, or fill out a form given out by members of staff.
Your details will be held for 21 days so landlords and managers can help track and trace Covid outbreaks.
You’ll be contacted if necessary and you might be told you need to self-isolate.
Last year, Wetherspoons received more than 50million test and trace details from customers when pubs reopened.
2. No ordering at the bar
You won’t be able to sit inside to eat or drink at your local Wetherspoons when pubs can reopen on April 12.
It will be mid-May before pubs and restaurants can reopen indoor seating areas to punters.
Wetherspoons told The Sun that customers can only walk through the pub if that is the only way they can get outside to their table.
When you’re at your table outside you can then order through the Wetherspoons app.
If you don’t have the app, you’ll wait for a member of staff to serve you at your table, as you won’t be able to order at the bar.
The only time customers will be able to go inside is if they need to use the toilet.
There will also be hand sanitiser stations around the pub which customers will be advised to use.
3. Reduced menu
Wetherspoons has confirmed to The Sun that there will be a slightly reduced menu when its pubs reopen on April 12.
Items on menu will include breakfast options, burgers, pizzas, deli deals, fish and chips and British classics.
You’ll be able to grab a bite to eat from 9am to 8pm seven days a week.
When pubs reopened last year in July, Wetherspoons also offered a slightly reduced menu too.
4. Using the app
Before you visit your local Wetherspoons, you might want to download the pub’s app.
Wetherspoons told us that it would prefer customers to pay for food and drink this way.
This means when you arrive, you’ll be able to sit at your table and order through the app without having to wait for a member of staff to take your order.
It’s free to download via Google Play or the App Store.
You’ll need to put your bank details in, so that you can use the app to pay for your order.
5. Follow the signs
When making your way around your local ‘Spoons, you’ll need to make sure you’re following the in and out routes.
These will be marked, and you’ll have to follow them in order to keep to social distancing rules when walking around.
Last year, when Wetherspoons reopened, arrows were stuck to the floor to show customers and staff which way to walk around the pub.
6. No booking ahead
While many pubs and restaurants are already accepting bookings as Brits race to reserve tables, Wetherspoons won’t be.
Customers won’t be able to book ahead for a table – you’ll just have to turn up at a branch before finding out if there’s a free table.
It means punters may be asked to wait outside until space frees up at busier times.
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The PM warned his four-step blueprint to lift lockdown can only go ahead as planned as long as benchmark numbers on Covid cases, hospital admissions, vaccinations and deaths have been met.
Within hours of the announcement on pubs reopening, Brits desperate to sip on a pint rushed to book tables for opening day.
But Harvester and Toby Carvery owners Mitchells & Butlers has slammed the plans for “yet again pushing the hospitality sector’s reopening to the back of the queue”.
Wetherspoons to reopen almost 400 pubs in April
