CHEERS BORIS!
PM orders pubs to reopen
BOOZERS yesterday raised a glass as PM Boris Johnson declared Britain’s “long national hibernation” is coming to an end – and gave pubs the green light to reopen soon.
Pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers can open from July 4 in England, when social distancing rules will be eased.
The Prime Minister said people should remain 2m apart where possible but a “one metre plus” rule will be introduced.
Two households in England will also be able to meet indoors and stay overnight – with social distancing.
However, he warned that all steps were “reversible”.
Meeting of households will not be exclusive, but unlike the bubble system people will have to maintain social distance – so family members who live apart could not hug.
Mr Johnson said people will be encouraged to use “mitigation” – such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face – when within 2m of each other and “where it is possible to keep 2m apart, people should”.
The prime minister said: “Our principle is to trust the British public to use their common sense in the full knowledge of the risks, remembering the more we open up, the more vigilant we need to be.”
The venues listed as being able to reopen include:
● Pubs, bars and restaurants, but only with a table service indoors, and owners will be asked to keep contact details of customers to help with contact tracing
● Hotels, holiday apartments, campsites and caravan parks, but shared facilities must be cleaned properly
● Theatres and music halls, but they will not be allowed to hold any live performances
Weddings will be allowed to have 30 attendees, and places of worship will be allowed to hold services.
However, in a cruel blow to the manicure community, nail bars will remain shut – as will indoor gyms, discos and swimming pools.
Mr Johnson said that the announcement meant “our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he welcomed the statement overall, adding: “I believe the Government is trying to do the right thing and in that I support them”.