BRITS kicked off their Bank Holiday with a bang today as the nation marks its first long weekend in eight months to be filled with freedoms.
The eagerly anticipated break will be the first time most people have spent a Bank Holiday boozing with pals at the pub or away from home since August.
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Thirsty punters began drinking outside yesterday, as beer gardens flung open their gates ahead of the busy three-day spell.
Excited families also set off for their first long break away since summer, with cars filling up roads up and down the country yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, groups of six are set to pack out parks, gardens and beaches in the coming days – with two households unlimited by numbers.
It comes as restrictions were eased on April 12, allowing pubs, hairdressers and non-essential shops to open for the first time in months.
Gyms, zoos, drive-in cinemas and beauty salons also reopened as the next milestone on Boris Johnson’s roadmap to freedom was reached.
There will be no changes to the rules for the bank holiday this weekend as the next stage on the roadmap of lockdown is set for May 17.
Roads are likely to be jam-packed this weekend as roughly 15million cars get set to hit the roads in the coming days.
It comes as Wales and Scotland’s borders are open once more – but rail delays are set to cause headaches for anyone hoping to zip off for a break – with London Euston shut all weekend cutting off the North.
While Brits can drink in the outdoor areas of pubs and bars, social distancing must still be adhered to with pals only allowed to have pints within the Rule of Six.
Unlike with the rules last year, alfresco pubs and restaurants don’t need to serve a substantial meal for alcohol to be sold.
And the 10pm curfew – which people were subject to in 2020 – has been scrapped.
Punters won’t be able to stand up and drink by the bar – and will have to stay seated while in the pub.
Londoners hoping to get to the coast may struggle by rail, with Victoria station not running Southern services.
And trains bringing people into the capital from Essex will be hit by disruption between Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street.
RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “After what was one of the quietest Easters on the roads in years our figures suggest the easing of Covid restrictions has made a dramatic difference with millions more drivers planning to hit the roads.
“It remains to be seen what effect the weather will have as meeting up in soggy parks and gardens may not prove quite so appealing.
“Nonetheless, the prospect of queues on the roads – particularly leading to major shopping centres – looks far more likely this coming weekend, and we’d advise drivers to plan ahead and keep tuned to local traffic bulletins to find out if there’s any disruption.”
