Boris Johnson warns Brits to ‘be sensible’ when pubs open tomorrow and ‘don’t let everyone down’
BORIS Johnson warned Brits to be sensible as pubs open back up their doors tomorrow.
He urged people planning to have a pint "don't let everyone down", after threatening another lockdown if the rules aren't followed.
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The Prime Minister told LBC this morning he hoped Brits would "enjoy summer" as the rules relax, but appealed for so-called Super Saturday to be safe.
He 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."
He bluntly told people not to "blow" it, as distancing is still in place, groups of more than six cannot mingle and masks should be worn in enclosed areas where possible.
He said: "We've progressed thanks to the efforts of the British people from an incidence of the disease at about one in 400 a few weeks ago to maybe one in 2,200 today.
"You're appreciably less likely now to be in close proximity to someone who has it than you were even a couple of weeks ago.
"We're making progress, we aimed for July the 4th, we wanted to set ourselves a target, we think we're in good shape but my message is let's not blow it."
'DON'T BLOW IT'
Earlier this week the PM warned the public that they must do their bit to stay safe ahead of pubs and restaurants opening again at the weekend.
In an interview with the he said: “Do not undo the sacrifices you have made with reckless behaviour ...
"We do not want to see businesses have to close again."
The Government insisted the whole nation - or just parts of it - could be locked down again if cases spike once again.
The British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality, the London Night Czar and the National Police Chiefs' Council urged people to support landlords and others as pubs open their doors for the first time in months.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) also issued guidance to people planning to have a pint in England tomorrow.
Camra said people should order and be served at their table, give details of their name and a phone number to help with contact tracing, and might not be allowed to shelter inside if it rains.
This week Leicester became the first city to have restrictions reimposed after a rise in cases.
Some of the other rules included to keep people safe from Saturday will include:
- Pubs will be allowed to show the football - but only with the sound on quietly to stop droplets spreading when people shout
- People are only allowed to go to the pub with one other household
- Customers will have to leave their contact details with pubs or restaurants for 21 days - so they can be tracked if there is an outbreak
- A limit on numbers inside a venue at any one time
- People should be encouraged to use contactless payments rather than cash
- Customers should stay seated at the table and wait to be served rather than going up to the bar
- Tables must be as spaced out as possible to keep a distance, and venues should be kept ventilated
Police fear that the opening up of huge parts of the economy will cause chaos at the weekend.
They are preparing for a New Year's Eve situation with increased violence, clashes with police and anti-social behaviour.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots not to dash across the border to get a pint in England - as she relaxed rules for people north of the border to have to stay near their own homes.
Rules ordering people not to go within five miles of where they live will be lifted, she said.
But pub beer gardens in Scotland are not scheduled to reopen again until July 6.
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And London Mayor Sadiq Khan issued warnings too, saying: "This Saturday should not be seen as a 'Super Saturday'."
Additional police will be on patrol in London at the weekend to "encourage people to remember rules around ," he added.
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