The new rules for pubs and restaurants when lockdown ends in England - including a change to the curfew

23 November 2020, 10:36 | Updated: 23 November 2020, 16:53

Pubs and restaurants are to be hit by new Covid restrictions after lockdown in England.

Boris Johnson announced the new lockdown plans for England today (Monday 23), which include a return to the ‘three Tier system’.

This means areas of the country will be separated into those with a ‘Medium’, ‘High’ and ‘Very High’ infection rate, with social distancing rules reflecting these.

While the hospitality sector will be allowed to reopen in Tiers one and two, many pubs and restaurants may have to remain closed in the highest tier.

Read More: Can hairdressers and beauty salons open after lockdown in England?

What do the new lockdown rules mean for pubs and restaurants?

While hospitality can welcome customers again in the two lowest tiers, for regions which are in tier three, sales are restricted to take-aways and delivery.

The 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants - which was in place last month - has also been extended by an hour.

While last orders will still be called at 10pm, people will have until 11pm to finish their food and drink.

Read More: Will hotels open in England after lockdown?

Also under tier 2, alcohol must only be served as part of a substantial meal in pubs and restaurants.

This means pubs that do not serve food could stay shut in areas higher infection rates.

Elsewhere under the new rules, all non essential shops, gyms and beauty salons are allowed to open again.

Dr Hilary warns seeing family at Christmas will be 'recipe for disaster'

Under the second tier – high alert – households are banned from mixing indoors, while the rule of six applied outdoors.

The rule of six also applies outdoors to tier three, while collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can also resume across all tiers.

Later this week, Boris Johnson is also set to announce his new plan on how families can celebrate Christmas this year.

Reports suggest that several households could be allowed to create a bubble temporarily between December 22 and 28, with the plans covering all four nations of the UK.

According to the Daily Telegraph, restrictions on church services are also due to be lifted allowing Christmas Day services to take place.

Now Read: Boris Johnson set to announce families can meet this Christmas in 'festive bubbles'