Pubs open at MIDNIGHT, shopping hours extended & indoor mixing loopholes – everything you need to know for April 12
MONDAY marks the next phase of lockdown easing – meaning Brits can finally go to the pub again, get haircuts, and go shopping. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes happening on April 12. From Monday, Brits can have a drink outdoors again – and boozers with 24-hour licences are planning to welcome […]
MONDAY marks the next phase of lockdown easing – meaning Brits can finally go to the pub again, get haircuts, and go shopping.
Here’s everything you need to know about the changes happening on April 12.
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From Monday, Brits can have a drink outdoors again – and boozers with 24-hour licences are planning to welcome customers back from midnight on Sunday.
Around 15,000 pubs — 40 per cent of the total in England — will re-open for outside drinking in beer gardens, car parks and even on roads from April 12.
A handful have a 24-hour license – and are gearing up to welcome punters back as soon as the clock strikes 12, as Brits are set to sink 15million pints next week.
Drinkers will have to brave the outdoors on April 12 in order to sip their pints as pubs can only serve punters outdoors.
But they’ll be covered from the elements after ministers tore up rules last month so gazebos and marquees can go up without planning permission.
Town halls have also been ordered to let bars and restaurants spill out onto pavements for a booming al-fresco April from the 12th.
And pub-goers will not have to rely on cash and will be able to use their cards indoors when they drink in beer gardens from Monday.
Industry bosses complained that poor rural broadband and mobile signal means card machines cannot be used in pub gardens – typically in remote parts such as in Devon and Cornwall.
But now punters will be able to go inside to pay for their drinks.
Drinkers can also briefly use the toilets indoors when pub gardens reopen.
This is a loophole that emerged when the Rule of Six returned to let Brits meet up with six mates outside on March 29.
Under the rules, people can also meet as two households in public spaces or gardens.
BEER WE GO
It’s been revealed that every pub-goer must check-in with the NHS Covid app to get a pint from April 12.
Under the new rules, all punters must be contact-traced via the app or by giving their contact details when a group enters a pub or restaurant.
All drinkers must scan their NHS app when they go to a boozer, which means it’ll be possible to tell them to book a test immediately if they sit near someone who has Covid.
The PM has ditched hates rules like the 10pm curfew and the facial substantial meal requirement that saw diners forced to order Scotch eggs and bowls of chips with their pints.
But social distancing measures will still have to remain in place, meaning pubs will be table service only and groups will be capped at a maximum of six people.
And as shops are allowed to reopen – many are extending their open hours across the UK in order for Brits to get extra shopping time in.
For the first week from April 12, Primark stores will open for two extra hours per day on average – typically an hour earlier and later.
Huge queues are expected though, so Primark is urging shoppers to “keep up the support and spirit” they showed last year when waiting in line.
The retailer will extend opening hours across all 160 England and Wales stores apart from one to spread demand and help customers shop safely.
What will reopen on April 12?
Mr Johnson said that non-essential retailers can reopen from this date, as long as strict conditions are met.
This is understood to include:
- Clothing shops
- Homeware shops
- Toy shops
- Vehicle showrooms (other than for rental)
- Betting shops
- Tailors
- Tobacco and vape shops
- Electronic goods shops
- Mobile phone shops
- Auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment)
- Market stalls selling non-essential goods
Other businesses that are expected to reopen as part of the plans include:
- Pubs (outdoor service only)
- Restaurants (outdoor service only)
- Hairdressers
- Gyms (indoor exercising – but no classes)
- Beauty salons
- Spas
- Libraries
- Theme parks
- Drive-in cinemas
- Drive-in performances
- Zoos
- Community centres
From April 12, Brits can also get haircuts and manicures for the first time in over three months as barbers and salons reopen.
Indoor leisure centres – including gyms – will be allowed to open, while outdoor attractions like zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas will also throw open their doors.
The rules will be relaxed to allow 30 people to attend funeral services while weddings and wakes will be allowed to have 15 people.
Overnight stays away from home with your household will also be back on the cards.
Driving tests will also be able to start up again for people keen to get their licence.
Elsewhere, the number of care home visitors will be increased to two per resident.
Libraries and community centres will also be able to open back up, with the roadmap saying: “All public spaces have important benefits that help create local attachments and sense of belonging to a community.”
However, things still won’t be completely back to to normal for some months yet.
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Mr Johnson has warned that loosening restrictions is based on “data, not dates” – and he said: “We can’t be complacent.
“We can see waves of sickness afflicting other countries, and we’ve seen how this story goes.”