PUB beer gardens could reopen from MARCH in Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown set to be released tomorrow.
The Prime Minister is said to be optimistic as he gets ready to unveil a “stairway” back towards a normal life thanks to the rollout of the Covid jab.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…
Brits are tomorrow expected to be told that they will be able to go to a pub beer garden from March 29.
Six people or two households will also be allowed to meet outside as part of the rollout.
It had previously been hoped that pub gardens would be able to reopen in April but confidence in the vaccine rollout could see the date moved forward if cases continue to fall.
A senior aide today told Trending In The Newsday Times: “The two areas where people have been hurt are in education and the fact that no one has been able to have social contact with friends and family.
“That’s why schools and outdoor socialising come first.”
The PM is expected to allow schools to reopen on March 8, with people also expected to be told they will be able to sit down for a drink outdoors or in a park with their family, or with one friend or relative.
It comes after the Sun today revealed Boris – who is expected to ditch the tiers system – had been given the confidence to unlock the UK faster thanks to the success of the jabs programme.
More than 17million people have already received their first dose of the vaccine.
It came as a poll for Trending In The News on Sunday found some 81 per cent rated the country’s jabs programme a success.
In a boost for millions, the PM will say that outdoor sport will resume from the end of March. Team games including football, rugby and hockey will be allowed.
STEPS TO GO
By May, gyms and salons will also open with rules and self-catering holidays will be permitted in the UK, it was reported.
Mr Johnson is keen to turn his steps into strides before summer — or sooner. Decisions will be dependent on the continued fall in death and infection rates.
A Whitehall source said: “There will be four steps, possibly five, each with dates and details about what businesses can reopen and which activities will be allowed.”
A senior government source added: “There will be no more tiers. We’ll be taking these steps as one nation.
“No region will be left behind this time. We’re in this together and shall leave together.”
Our poll found people are willing to carry a vaccine passport to show they’ve had a jab if it means pubs and restaurants can open sooner.
Some 62 per cent would be happy to do so in all circumstances. Only 15 per cent were totally opposed, the poll for Trending In The News on Sunday found.
It is feared, however, that the roadmap will have too many speed restrictions for thousands of pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Mr Johnson looks set to delay full reopening until May. Bosses fear partial reopening — with outdoor seating — will not save them.
