Boris Johnson has confirmed that bars and restaurants will be able to reopen next week as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
Addressing the nation this evening, the Prime Minister announced that Step Two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown would go ahead as planned on April 12.
According to Boris Johnson, bars and restaurants will be permitted to reopen next Monday for outdoor services only.
There will be no curfew in place and no need for alcohol to be accompanied by a ‘substantial meal’ when bars and restaurants open.
Pubs, bars and restaurants are expected to reopen fully from May 17 as part of Step Three.
Addressing a Downing Street press conference on Monday, Boris Johnson said: “The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday April 12, we will move to step two of our road map.
“Reopening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, personal care services like hairdressers and of course beer gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds.
“And on Monday 12, I will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips.”
However, these dates are subject to change depending on the data meeting England’s “four tests”.
These include the success of the vaccine rollout, evidence of vaccine efficacy, new variants and infection rates.
Each step will only take place if the analysis of the latest data against the four tests does not require a delay.
If one step in the roadmap is delayed, the others will be pushed back in order to create a five week gap between them.
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Restrictions will continue to be eased step-by-step across the whole of England at the same time due to the current uniform spread of the virus.
There will continue to be a five-week gap between the lifting of restrictions.
You can follow our live coverage of Boris Johnson’s announcements here.
