Pubs and restaurants 'to be allowed to serve outdoors from April'

12 February 2021, 22:11 | Updated: 12 February 2021, 22:16

Pubs may be allowed to reopen in April, reports have claimed
Pubs may be allowed to reopen in April, reports have claimed. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Pubs and restaurants will be permitted to serve people outdoors from April if Covid-19 cases continue to fall, it has been reported.

People in England have been long-awaiting the reopening of the hospitality sector, after the Government was forced to close it to deal with the rapidly growing Covid-19 cases.

But as rates have fallen across the country, it has sparked hoped the ailing sector could be given a much-needed boost - and mean thirsty Brits can once again attend their favourite watering holes.

A source told The Sun: “We will hopefully be sipping pints in the spring sunshine sooner rather than later.”

The nation was delivered a saving grace on Friday after it was revealed the UK's Covid-19 R number has dropped below 1 for the first time since July and now stands between 0.7 and 0.9.

People may be allowed to have a pint outdoors in the Spring
People may be allowed to have a pint outdoors in the Spring. Picture: PA

An R number between 0.7 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will pass on the virus to between seven and nine other people, which suggests the pandemic is shrinking.

This is a drop from last week when the R number stood between 0.7 and 1, according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).

Read more: PM to lay out roadmap for easing lockdown over coming months on 22 February

Read more: UK economy fell by 9.9% in 2020 - largest annual slump on record

Latest figures also show that the number of new Covid infections is shrinking by between 2 per cent to 5 per cent every day, with the growth rate being between -2 and -5.

Will summer holidays be allowed? This is what ministers have said...

The Department for Health said in a statement: "We are confident the epidemic is shrinking across all NHS England regions.

"However, prevalence of the virus remains high, so it remains important that everyone continues to stay at home in order to keep the R value down, protect the NHS and help save lives."

It was also confirmed that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lay out the roadmap out of lockdown, with the hopes it will be the last the nation has to endure.

The plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown in England will be set out in 10 days after some Tory MPs expressed concern that the timetable may have slipped back further.

A No10 spokesman said: "On 22 February, we will set out a gradual and phased approach towards easing the restrictions in a sustainable way."

Concerns of a delay among Tory lockdown-sceptics were raised on Thursday when the prime minister's official spokesman said: "We've been clear we will publish the road map on the week of the 22nd."

On Friday, the No10 spokesman did not rule out that one option being considered is social distancing being maintained until the autumn.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Three Israeli Hostages Released As Part Of Ceasefire Deal

Abuse suffered by Hamas hostages during their 500 days in captivity revealed

Kaleb Cooper

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper announces he'll be a dad for the third time

Elements of the eucharist sacramental bread and sacramental wine.

Non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free bread cannot be used during holy communion, the Church of England has ruled.

Nelson Way, Chadderton.

Baby girl found dead in Greater Manchester home, with man and woman arrested

Police Scotland vehicle.

Man arrested and charged after attempted murder of police officer

US President Donald Trump

Trump imposes steel and aluminium tariffs, as he doubles down on plan to make Canada 51st state of America

Robbie Williams on Instagram

Robbie Williams pays £20,000 for comedian's iconic glasses and pipe

Garda

Man arrested after several people reportedly stabbed in Dublin

Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Reeves calls for economic growth talks with bank chiefs, after 'Stagflation' warning

Reform UK Holds a Regional Conference In Wiltshire

Farage claims Conservative Party has less than 100,000 members and blasts Kemi Badenoch for calling Reform member numbers 'fake'

Foreign Ministers attend an Arab League extraordinary meeting in Cairo on October 11, 2023.

Egypt to host emergency Arab League summit after Trump announces plan to displace 1.8 million Palestinians and 'take over Gaza'

Jack Fincham.

Love Island star admits to feeling like a 'failure' after spending '£1 million on drugs, alcohol and gambling'

Westminster Abbey and Church House

Church of England meeting at time of ‘unprecedented crisis’ after scandals and historical abuse claims

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing

easyJet flight forced to make emergency landing after pilot collapses on board

Joel Verite was among the first on the scene of the Southport knife attack where three girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.

Southport hero who came face-to-face with Rudakubana as he rushed to save dying girls says it was 'like a horror film'

Labour vows to punish any other MP or minister caught up in Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group scandal.

Second Labour MP revealed as member of offensive WhatsApp group