Pubs could reopen from July with social distancing measures, minister says

A minister said yesterday that pubs could tentatively start to reopen from as early as July if social distancing measures were in place. 

The news comes from the environment secretary, George Eustice, who stressed that pubs were on track to open in weeks as long as they could space out customers. 

Mr Eustice told the Commons: “Of course we also recognise that until things return to something closer to normal and they can open normally, hopefully later this summer, then it will not give them all of the trade they previously had.”

He also added: “As the Prime Minister has outlined, we intend that the hospitality sector including pubs would be able to tentatively start gradually opening hopefully during the month of July – subject to the epidemiology supporting such a move.

“And of course we are already working with the hospitality and pub sector to identify what social distancing measures they might be able to put in place to make that work properly.”

Mr Eustice’s comments mirror Dominic Raab’s remarks on the topic earlier this month, that pubs and restaurants would not open until July 4th at the earliest. 

Mr Raab said: “From 4th July, at the earliest, we’ll look at other sectors and that will include hospitality, but it will also include personal care and people like hairdressers.

“Obviously the proximity in those two sectors is something where we don’t think we’re ready yet, given where we are with the virus.”

As part of the Prime Minister’s road mad, pub reopenings were expected to be on the cards once we reach stage three of the lockdown easing plan. 

Pubs with outdoor spaces or enough space to ensure people can safely social distance will be the only pubs able to reopen. 

According to scientists, Coronavirus spreads more easily in enclosed spaces and less so outside. 

The British Beer and Pub Association said that Britain’s pubs were pouring away as much as 70 million untouched pints by being closed during the lockdown.

BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Re-opening in July will be great for those pubs who can meet the social-distancing measures required by then.

“We stand ready to work with the Government to help pubs re-open in a safe and financially viable way as soon as possible.”