Pubs could still reopen next month – but no date set yet

THIRSTY Brits could be back boozing in pubs next month – but no date has been set yet.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister suggested that experts are close to a solution to halting the coronavirus spread in bars.

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Mr Johnson said: “We may be able to do things faster than I thought.”

The PM said pubs, restaurants and hotels may all reopen next month.

Tonight, the Mr Johnson confirmed that that five tests needed to ease the lockdown had been met.

He also announced that groups of six people can meet outside, but those from different households must still keep two meters apart.

This includes meeting in gardens and also private outdoor spaces.

The prime minister also confirmed that schools will reopen from June 1, as well as allowing shops to reopen.

But he also confirmed that the rules could be tightened if infections spread – and this could include localised lockdowns.

Pubs have urged the government to cut the two-metre distancing rule to one metre so they can open up.

Speaking at the press conference this evening Mr Johnson, Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty insisted that the two meter rule must stay.

Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, said: "We want to really reinforce the point that people are meeting in these slightly relaxed rules and it's essential that people maintain two meters."

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Some pubs are so tiny that if the two-metre rule stays it will keep them shut.

And brewery chiefs say a one-metre rule would boost the number of pubs that could open by 120 per cent.

They estimate that being closed on the sunny Bank Holiday weekend cost them sales of ten million pints — and two million more would have been downed had the FA Cup final been played as scheduled last Saturday.

Some pubs were open to serve takeaway pints to drinkers who brought their own containers on Monday.

All pubs, alongside clubs, restaurants and gyms, were ordered by the government to shut on March 20.

Earlier this month, a government adviser said pub beer gardens should reopen as long as drinkers can social distance.

Meanwhile, the Campaign for Real Ale has called for pubs to reopen as soon as possible.

Plus, The Sun got a first look into Wetherspoons pubs with coronavirus safety measures.

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