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Are pubs open in the UK today?
BRITS can head to UK pubs today after boozers got the green light to open their doors again.
Locals could open their doors from 6am this morning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed in a House of Commons statement that they could return for the first time in three months.
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Are pubs open in the UK?
All pubs have been given the green light to open today in what has been dubbed the biggest easing of lockdown restrictions to date.
Many opened their doors at 6am with thirsty punters queueing for their first pub-poured pint in three months.
Mr Johnson announced that pubs will be among those allowed to reopen on today in England.
Speaking on LBC news on July 3, the Prime Minister said: "Tomorrow we come to step three of the plan that I set out on May 10, that everybody, I think, has understood, or huge numbers of people have understood and followed very carefully and very closely.
"And it's because people stuck to that plan that we're now able to carefully and cautiously open up hospitality tomorrow.
"And my message is really for people to enjoy summer sensibly and make sure that it all works."
Boozers had to shut back in March, with many issuing concerns they could go out of business.
But, in another boost to locals, the two-metre social distancing rule has been reduced to one metre plus - which means one-metre minimum distance when not possible to otherwise.
The "plus" means that the public must also take other precautionary measures to limit any potential spread.
Not every pub has opened its doors though. UK pub giant Greene King has refused to reopen any of its 1,700 boozers over safety fears.
Instead it said it will conduct a phased reopening over the coming weeks with the first reopening on July 6.
Its rival Wetherspoons reopened 750 of its pubs today at 8am.
Mr Johnson also revealed pubs are allowed to serve drinks outside in a bid to boost the economy.
Pubs in opened at 12pm on Friday, July 3.
Welsh Government plans have revealed that pubs can reopen outdoors on July 17.
The date in Scotland is July 15 with beer gardens can reopening from July 6.
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Matt Hancock confirmed The Sun's story that bars and restaurants will have to keep a record of everyone who visits before being served under new plans.
Ministers have discussed a guest register will be kept by landlords and managers to help track and trace coronavirus outbreaks.
The idea has been used in New Zealand where each venue must record visitors and carry out regular headcounts.
Personal details are kept on file for four weeks and are used to contact people if one of the patrons later is hit with coronavirus.
Some pubs have been allowed to partially reopen in June using outdoor market-style stalls.
Government officials have previously suggested it could take many months for pubs to reopen - sparking fears for the future of many of the UK's 48,349 locals.
Top scientists have predicted that the hospitality could start to pick up without triggering a second wave.
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What time are pubs open until?
Many establishments opened their doors at 6am today ready for the first day of business for three months.
Theoretically speaking, UK alcohol licensing laws mean they could open for 24 hours a day if they wanted to, but this rarely made sense before lockdown and will likely make even less sense now.
Pubs generally stayed open until 11pm Monnday-Saturday and 10.30pm on Sunday, with some chains staying until midnight or even 1am on a Friday and Saturday and other locals deciding to stay open later on a night-by-night basis depending on how busy they are.
And with emergency services predicting a New Year's Eve style Super Saturday it is possible many could stay open until late.
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How will social distancing work in pubs?
The two-metre social distancing rule has been reduced to one metre plus - which means one-metre minimum distance when not possible to otherwise.
The "plus" means that the public must also take other precautionary measures to limit any potential spread.
The social distancing measures implemented require drinkers to order their booze remotely via an app, with the punter then collecting their drinks from the bar to minimise contact between staff and customers.
Bar staff will wear masks and gloves at all times while working.
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to simply walk into a pub on the spur of the moment and have a pint, certainly in the first few days of reopening.
Drinkers were warned to book a table beforehand if they wanted to go to the pub today.
more in coronavirus news
How can I support my local pub?
You can support your local by heading for a pint or some food when they reopen.
You can also join campaigns like , who are trying to get the government to freeze beer duty to support pubs when they finally reopen.
The team is also working on some new plans to try and mitigate the massive toll our boozers are paying for coronavirus.
, which they then match as a donation to your pub.
Landlords can add their pubs to the scheme too.
Boris Johnson announces reopening of country as coronavirus restrictions eased
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