Boris Johnson announces plans for re-opening of pubs outdoors

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From April 12, restaurants, pubs and cafes can reopen and seat customers outdoors. However, the trade body UKHospitality has warned that even the pubs that can open may only make around one fifth of their usual sales.

According to analysis by the group, 25,979 sites in England have outdoor space (43 percent).

When looking at the high street, only a quarter of bars and restaurants have outdoor space.

This number increases to 46 percent in suburban sites and 68 percent in rural areas.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, explained how a return to normality will be “a long road to recovery for many”.

She told The Telegraph: “While Monday is a very welcome return for hospitality as a whole, it represents the start of a very gradual return to normality and it will be a long road to recovery for many.

“We have to remember fewer than two in five will even be able to open on Monday – the vast majority will remain closed without revenue for another five weeks.

“Just 22 per cent of the sector’s trading is likely to return, and that is weather dependent.

“So while it is great to be able to bring our teams back to work and welcome back family and friends to socialise safely, this is not sufficient to ensure the long-term viability of business and jobs.

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“That is why the Government needs to stick to the roadmap plan to lift social distancing restrictions from June 21 to allow our sector to survive and thrive.”

Under the Government’s plans to begin reopening hospitality on Monday, customers have to order, eat and drink while seated at a table.

Britons will have to follow the ‘rule of six’ or be in a group of no more than two households.

Customers must also check into the NHS Test and Trace app.

On Saturday, the UK reported 2,589 new COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths in the latest 24-hour period.

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