Hospitality venues in ‘tier three’ areas will still be able to serve alcohol, as long as it comes with a ‘substantial meal’, the Prime Minister has confirmed. 

Boris Johnson suggested pubs and bars in locked-down Liverpool could therefore remain open – if they turn into restaurants. He explained that venues would need to serve ‘substantial meals’ and only serve alcohol alongside them to carry on trading. 

It follows dramatic new coronavirus curbs announced today that sees Britain split into three tiers of different restrictions – medium, high and very high. The Liverpool region is in the only area currently in the final category.

Mr Johnson said at a press conference tonight: ‘The exact restrictions at this level – very high – will be worked out with local leaders along with tailored packages of support. But, at a minimum, they will sadly include a ban on all social mixing between households in private places including gardens.’

He continued: ’Pubs and bars must close unless they can operate solely as a restaurant, serving alcohol only as part of a main meal.’ 

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That followed a statement in the House of Commons by the PM, when he explained that areas placed under tier three restrictions would face new curbs on their daily life. 

Government rules for ‘very high’ alert areas — so far only including Liverpool — state: ‘Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant – which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal.

‘They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.’

At this evening’s press conference, Mr Johnson outlined the help that staff in tier three areas will receive if their workplaces are forced to close. 

He said: ‘No one affected with be left to fend for themselves and we’re going to expand our unprecedented economic support.‘

‘Extending our job support scheme to cover two-thirds of the wages of those in any business that is required to close and providing those businesses with a cash grant of up to £3,000 a month, instead of £1,500 every three weeks.’

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