LOCK & POUR
Boris Johnson vows ‘I’ll be down the pub’ on April 12 as he announces next step of lockdown roadmap will go ahead
BORIS JOHNSON has vowed to have a pint in the pub on April 12 when the second stage of the government's roadmap out of lockdown starts.
The Prime Minister made the promise at this evening's Downing Street press conference as he confirmed boozers, shops, and hairdressers will reopen next Monday.
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Under the next stage of his roadmap to freedom hospitality venues in England will be able to serve customers outside, while still respecting rules on social distancing and mask wearing.
Boris praised the "collective efforts" of the country in keeping case rates low after the success of the Covid vaccine rollout, which has seen more than 31 million Brits jabbed.
And the PM said he would be celebrating the next stage of the country's reemergence from Covid restrictions - by sinking a beer in the pub next Monday.
Mr Johnson said: "The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday April 12, we will move to step two of our road map.
It comes as:
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"Reopening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, personal care services like hairdressers and of course beer gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds.
"And on Monday 12, I will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips."
The PM also insisted he's confident further steps of his roadmap out of lockdown will be able to go ahead as planned.
He said: ";We see nothing in the present data that makes us think we will have to deviate from that roadmap.
"But it’s by being cautious, by monitoring the data at every stage, and by following the rules that we hope together to make this roadmap to freedom irreversible."
But he urged Brits not to be "complacent" as the country starts to reopen as "we can see the waves of sickness inflicting other countries".
And he cautioned "we still don't know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as I'm afraid they will".
The PM called on people to be jabbed "when your turn comes" and to use the two free NHS Covid tests per week "even if you don't feel ill".
Today's announcement comes after the PM vowed last month to be back down the pub "in a few days' time".
Speaking at the Conservatives’ virtual spring forum, Boris said he was looking forward to a haircut and a beer as his lockdown easing roadmap expands from Monday.
He said: "In just a few days’ time, I’m finally going to be able to go to the barbers.
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“But more important than that, I’m going to be able to go down the street and cautiously, but irreversibly, I’m going to drink a pint of beer in the pub."
Pubs and restaurants in England will be able to serve customers outside, while still respecting rules on social distancing and mask wearing, from next Monday.
Many landlords have reported bookings are already at unprecedented levels as thirsty punters flock for their first chance to eat and drink out since lockdown was imposed.
The PM has ditched hates rules like the 10pm curfew and the facial substantial meal requirement that saw diners forced to order Scotch eggs and bowls of chips with their pints.
And the British Beer and Pub Association warned that even though they're being allowed to reopen, many bars won't be able to turn a profit on just outdoors trade alone.
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Its boss Emma McClarkin said: "Those who open are those who are desperate to reconnect to customers, provide that vital meeting point for people in more isolated areas.
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"It will be loss-making but businesses are making preparations to get back to what they do best.”
And Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, urged the PM to commit to a full reopening of pubs in June 21 to stop many businesses going under.
Boris Johnson announcement: Pubs, shops, and hairdressers WILL open on April 12 as UK takes major step out of lockdown
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