NOW WE’RE OFF OUR FACETIME

Pub ban Brits partying hard online

THIRSTY Brits are drinking with mates over group chats and in “virtual pubs” as the country adjusts to lockdown by seeing off 100million pints a week.

BRITS are toasting the virus-beating pub ban by doubling their boozing at home.

Drinkers are stockpiling bottles of beer, wine and spirits for benders in their living rooms.

Experts predict home drinking will rocket from 60million pints a week to 100m during the pub shutdown.

Stores are warning that booze is taking over from toilet rolls as the No1 must-have for panic-buyers.

And many drinkers have uploaded video-conferencing apps to their phones so they can chat while supping.

Virtual pub-goer Rhidian Bramley tweeted: “Went down the virtual pub last night.

“Turned out it was more fun than the real thing – and we saved the taxi fares home.’’

And Katy Montgomerie tweeted: “My first virtual pub session with a load of friends was so fun. I really recommend if you’re feeling down.’’

Boost

Meanwhile The Alexandra pub in Wimbledon, south London, will run its weekly quiz online.

Sir Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology at Manchester Business School, said: “Brits love the social connection of going to the pub – but we can still get that connection in a virtual pub.

“The best way to boost your spirits now is to talk to someone, and that can be done face-to-face over the internet while having a drink. This crisis is bringing communities together in new way.”

Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the fact most of the nation was staying in and social distancing.

But he warned “tougher measures”– such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement seen elsewhere in Europe – would have to be brought in if some people continued to flout them.

He said people could go out, but needed to maintain the safe two-metre distance from each other to stop the virus spreading.

Brits normally drink around 60m pints at home and 65m in bars in an average week

■ EMPTY deckchairs face the turquoise waters off Olhuveli Island in the Maldives. Resorts in the islands were eerily quiet as they were cut off from visitors despite being virus-free. ■ The Maldives’ government banned UK travellers from entering on Wednesday. People who have been in China, Bangladesh, Iran, Italy or South Korea are also barred.