Pubs and restaurants will open indoors from May 17 – with new rules for the outdoors Wine News

What restrictions will there be?

When pubs and restaurants open for indoor dining, it will be table service only; customers will not be able to order at the bar.

Drinkers and diners must comply with a tightening of testing and traceability rules, which previously required only one person from each group to register their presence on the NHS Covid app.

All customers are now required to register under the new regulations, making it easier for the NHS to contact anyone who may have come into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Boris Johnson previously indicated that coronavirus vaccine certificates could be introduced by ads at owners’ discretion, but confirmed in his April 5 announcement that certification of Covid status, as the government calls it, will not be not required in the third step of the roadmap. , when the sites can serve the customers inside.

The government defines Covid certificates or passports as something that can show you have had a stroke, negative test, or antibodies. This could turn one of the NHS ‘smartphone apps into a Covid digital passport, meaning you can take proof of vaccination, a test or antibodies with you.

How many people will be allowed to drink together?

When hospitality spaces open their indoor spaces from May 17, guests must adhere to the Rule of Six, which allows half a dozen people from different households to meet – or more if they are from two different households. .

Outside of this date, people will be able to gather in larger groups in beer gardens or at an alfresco dinner – up to 30 people.

Until then, the rule of six (or two households) remains the limit for eating and drinking outside.

Will there still be a 10pm curfew and a substantial meal rule?

No, in both cases. The 10 p.m. curfew that was introduced to the hospitality industry in 2020 was dropped when the premises reopened.

The so-called Scottish egg rule has also been abandoned; customers will not be required to order a large meal with their drink. This will provide relief to MPs as well as clients, after ministers confused what constituted a “substantial” meal.