Brits have been pictured downing cocktails and beers at midnight as pubs and bars welcomed punters to sit inside for the first time in months.
From today, people in England, Scotland and Wales will be allowed to mix indoors again, in either a group of six or a maximum of two households. Several pubs in England opened their doors at midnight to celebrate their return to business.
In Coventry, around 100 customers gathered at The Oak Inn for a drink, while in Huddersfield, Showtime Bar welcomed punters at 12.01am.
Ian Snowball, the owner of the bar, said it hadn’t been as busy as beer gardens first reopened on April 12. He said: ‘It’s not as big as it was when we first opened in the garden, that was immense.
‘This is a bit of an anti-climax but I think it’ll build up again – the anticipation isn’t quite there like it was last time. But it’s still good fun.’
He added that he was hopeful his venue would not have to go into lockdown again, noting: ‘I think for people from the North, it’s kind of special to us, a pub. There’s an intimacy when we all get together, with our friends, and we talk.’
Finlay Woodhead, 20, a customer inside the bar, could barely contain his excitement at being allowed to sit inside.
He said: ‘I’m over the moon, I’ve been waiting so long. It’s so nice to be sat inside where it’s warm. I love it, honestly, I love it.’
Also due to reopen today are Cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas.
The sites will be required to be Covid-secure, and there will be caps on numbers according to the type of venue.
Foreign travel is also now allowed again, although Brits will have to follow the Government’s traffic light system, which dictates whether or not they need to quarantine on their return.
However, holidays in the UK can go ahead, with accommodation such as hotels and B&Bs allowed to reopen for groups of six or up to two households.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson urged people to proceed with caution. He said: ‘Together we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.
‘We are keeping the spread of the variant first identified in India under close observation and taking swift action where infection rates are rising.’
He said the ‘current data does not indicate unsustainable pressure on the NHS’, and that second vaccine doses are being accelerated to give the greatest protection to the most vulnerable.
‘But now everyone must play their part – by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for your vaccine when called and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air.’
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