Pubs could ban unvaccinated drinkers this summer, Boris suggests

The prime minister has suggested that unvaccinated drinkers could be banned from some pubs.

Asked about the possibility, he said: I think that’s the kind of thing that may be up to individual publicans, it may be up to the landlord.’

Speaking today, he didn’t rule out that individual establishments might be able to stop people coming in if they had not received their jab.

Appearing in front of the Liaison Committee of senior MPs, he indicated the government would not enforce such a policy but that landlords might wish to do so.

Under the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, pubs will be allowed to open to serve people outdoors only from April 12 at the earliest.

From May 17, indoor hospitality venues may be allowed to open while from June 21, if all goes well with the latest data on infections, all legal limits on social contact will be removed.

Many are eagerly looking forward to these dates as the times when they will be able to meet with friends for a pint again.

Mr Johnson, who did not elaborate on his answer about Covid vaccine certification potentially giving access to pubs, said ‘there is a huge wisdom in the public’s feeling about [coronavirus], and humans instinctively recognise when something is dangerous.’

He said the public wanted him as prime minister to ‘take all the actions to protect them’.

Also during the questioning, the Prime Minister said the ‘natural wanderlust’ of Britons would lead to a ‘miraculous change’ in the desire to go abroad once it is safe to do so.

Asked how the Government could help reverse foreign holidays being a ‘dirty word’ since the coronavirus outbreak, Boris Johnson said: ‘I think do not underestimate the natural wanderlust, spirit of inquiry, general dynamism of the British people that has served us for hundreds and hundreds of years.

‘As soon as people feel it is safe, you will see a miraculous change in the mood and what happens. That is what this is all about.

‘We’re getting there step by step, jab by jab – we’re not there yet but I’ll be saying more on April 5 and then on April 12, and we will do what we can.’

Questioned on whether he would be looking to go abroad if it is declared safe this summer, Mr Johnson added: ‘I think whatever I do, I will be making sure to tell the British public what I think is safe and sensible, and I certainly won’t be doing anything other than that.’

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