Pub beer gardens 'could open from MARCH' in Boris Johnson's lockdown roadmap as PM optimistic after vaccine success
PUB beer gardens could reopen from MARCH in Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown set to be released tomorrow.
The Prime Minister is said to be optimistic as he gets ready to unveil the “stairway” towards a normal life thanks to the rollout of the Covid jab.
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Brits are tomorrow expected to be told they will be able to meet outside as either six people or two households in Boris' address at 7pm tomorrow.
The Sunday Times reported this could include being allowed to drink with family and friends in pub beer gardens.
However, The Sun understands the opening of outdoor pub areas is more likely to be introduced in April as the PM finalises his roadmap over the next 24 hours.
As part of the announcement, non-essential retail is expected to be told they will be able to open before late April.
Six people or two households will also be allowed to meet outside as part of the rollout.
It had previously been hoped that pub gardens would be able to reopen in April but confidence in the vaccine rollout could see the date moved forward if cases continue to fall.
A senior aide today told The Sunday Times: "The two areas where people have been hurt are in education and the fact that no one has been able to have social contact with friends and family.
"That’s why schools and outdoor socialising come first."
The PM is expected to allow schools to reopen on March 8, with people also expected to be told they will be able to sit down for a drink outdoors or in a park with their family, or with one friend or relative.
It comes after the Sun today revealed Boris – who is expected to ditch the tiers system – had been given the confidence to unlock the UK faster thanks to the success of the jabs programme.
More than 17million people have already received their first dose of the vaccine.
And Boris has vowed to offer every adult in Britain a Covid jab by the end of July.
STEPS TO GO
It came as a poll for The Sun on Sunday found some 81 per cent rated the country’s jabs programme a success.
In a boost for millions, the PM will say that outdoor sport will resume from the end of March. Team games including football, rugby and hockey will be allowed.
By May, gyms and salons will also open with rules and self-catering holidays will be permitted in the UK, it was reported.
Mr Johnson is keen to turn his steps into strides before summer — or sooner with a four step plan. Decisions will be dependent on the continued fall in death and infection rates.
A Whitehall source said: “There will be four steps, possibly five, each with dates and details about what businesses can reopen and which activities will be allowed.”
CAN’T BEER IT Pubs and restaurants ‘raring to go’ as they warn get punters back by April as ‘summer will be too late’
PUBS and restaurants are “raring to go
Landlords, restaurateurs and chefs have spent months preparing to serve customers outside.
But while they want to be back open by Easter, it is likely it will be put off until at least May under the government's lockdown roadmap.
Trade body UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has urged Boris Johnson not leave them behind.
She said: “We need to be in the first phase of re-opening. Summer will be too late for many businesses.”
Pubs across the country want to start serving punters in time for al fresco April.
A senior government source added: “There will be no more tiers. We’ll be taking these steps as one nation.
“No region will be left behind this time. We’re in this together and shall leave together.”
Our poll found people are willing to carry a vaccine passport to show they’ve had a jab if it means pubs and restaurants can open sooner.
Some 62 per cent would be happy to do so in all circumstances. Only 15 per cent were totally opposed, the poll for The Sun on Sunday found.
It is feared, however, that the roadmap will have too many speed restrictions for thousands of pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Mr Johnson looks set to delay full reopening until May. Bosses fear partial reopening — with outdoor seating — will not save them.
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