When will pubs, bars and restaurants reopen?
28 January 2021, 12:55 | Updated: 15 February 2021, 11:20
Pubs and restaurants were ordered to close across England for the third national lockdown - here's what we know about when they might reopen.
Boris Johnson announced that England would enter its third national lockdown on January 4 2021, with the 'stay at home' message put in place once again.
Read more: Can I learn to drive in lockdown? Latest government updates on driving lessons and tests
As part of this lockdown, non-essential hospitality businesses like pubs, restaurants and bars across England were asked to close.
Here's what we know about when they might reopen again.
When will pubs, bars and restaurants reopen in England?
The government had not given an exact timeline on when these businesses will be allowed to reopen their doors.
However, it was recently reported that they could start to open for takeaway pints in April, and reopen fully in May.
According to reports, if these plans go ahead, big groups will be asked to sit outside.
The Sun claims that the previous 10pm curfew will also be scrapped.
How long will lockdown 3 last?
When Boris Johnson announced lockdown, he said that he hoped restrictions could start to be eased by mid-February - but only if the virus had been sufficiently put under control.
He said: "If our understanding of the virus doesn't change dramatically once again, if rollout of vaccine continues to be successful, if deaths fall, and if everyone plays their part by following the rules then i hope we can start to come out of lockdown at February half term."
Michael Gove subsequently told Sky News: "We can't predict with certainty that we will be able to lift restrictions in the week commencing February 15-22.
"What we will be doing is everything that we can to make sure that as many people as possible are vaccinated, so that we can begin to progressively lift restrictions.
"I think it is right to say that as we enter March we should be able to lift some of these restrictions but not necessarily all."
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