COVID-19 road map announced

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, yesterday announced a road map for relaxing the country’s third COVID-19 lockdown.

Here are the key dates for the hospitality / licensed leisure sector:

• 12 April: The earliest date for the opening of non-essential retail, hairdressers, nail salons, gyms and outdoor areas in hospitality venues, such as beer gardens and roof terraces. There is no curfew or requirement for people to consume alcohol with a substantial meal as was previously the case. However, table service is a requirement as is the ‘rule of 6’ and a maximum mixing of two households.
• 17 May: Venues will be allowed to open their indoor areas. Most rules on social contact outdoors will be lifted. But the ‘rule of 6’ and maximum mixing of two households will continue indoors.
• 21 June: This is the very earliest date of when the Government is hoping to lift all social restrictions. This includes restrictions on nightclubs, a sector that is not included in the first 2 steps.

Unfortunately this road map is not set-in-stone. These dates are the earliest possible points at which the restrictions could be lifted. These dates depend on various COVID-19 statistics and could, therefore, change over the weeks and months ahead.

If you have any questions about licensing laws and how these might impact your business, contact one of our licensing solicitors. They will gladly give you some initial advice as to what your best legal options are.