BRITS might not have to wait too long before they’ll be able to grab a pint again down their local pub.
Pubs and restaurants could be reopen soon if Covid cases fall, as Britain gears up to pave its way out of lockdown.
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But when will you be able to cheers down your local once more? We explain what we know so far.
When will pubs reopen?
Although the Government hasn’t officially confirmed when pubs will reopen, The Sun revealed last week they could be serving as early as April.
Pubs and restaurants were initially earmarked to reopen in May, but they could open in two months time if Covid cases continue to fall.
However, it looks like you’ll only be able to drink and eat outdoors, as indoor mixing is still planned for May.
A government source told The Sun: “We will hopefully be sipping pints in the spring sunshine sooner rather than later.”
The potential early reopening of hospitality venues comes as the UK’s Covid R rate fell below one nationwide for the first time since last July last week.
What will the rules be when pubs reopen?
Details about what rules Brits need to stick to while taking a trip down to their local are still yet to be revealed.
But Boris Johnson is expected to reveal more details of how Britain will emerge out of lockdown on February 22.
However, The Sun revealed it is likely that punters will have to stick to the “rule of six” limits and two-metre distancing when pubs reopen.
This will stay all summer as a compromise for the early reopening.
It looks like you’ll have to wait until May until you’ll be allowed to eat and drink inside.
However, pub bosses have blasted an outdoor-only drinking plan from early April and have demanded the return of inside drinking.
Industry leaders have backed demands for lockdown restrictions to be fully lifted by the end of April, when most over-50s are expected to have been vaccinated.
Patrick Dardis, chief executive of the Young’s pubs chain, said rain would make the outdoors-only idea unworkable and slammed it as “nonsense”.
Meanwhile, Tim Martin, chairman of pubs giant JD Wetherspoon, said the decision had been made by “ministers with no experience of business, or empathy for business”.
What else could open soon?
High street shops could also reopen within weeks if Covid rates keep tumbling.
Under the PM’s roadmap to take Britain out of lockdown, which is to be revealed next week, non-essential businesses are expected to reopen after schools do.
Schools are earmarked to reopen on March 8, and on this same day, you’ll be able to meet a pal outside for a coffee too.
Senior Tory backbenchers are also urging the PM to allow Covid-safe weddings to resume from March 8, and Brits could be allowed to take self-catered breaks by Easter.
However, this all depends on whether the reproductive rate of the virus stays low.
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The Government also looks set to hit his first jabs deadline today for offering the first dose of the vaccine to 15million vulnerable people.
More than 160 top hospitality firms, including Pizza Hut, Burger King and Caffe Nero, have urged the Chancellor to extend the VAT reduction for a year.
Martin Lewis is warning Brits booking trips abroad this summer to check the small print or risk losing the cash if the trip is cancelled.
Boris Johnson says ‘he’s optimistic’ about lifting lockdown and shops and pubs will be prioritised after schools
