The bad news for pubs and other hospitality venues keeps on coming after it was confirmed in the official guidelines surrounding the second lockdown that takeaway pints will no longer be allowed.
As of Thursday morning at one minute past midnight, all non-essential shops, as well as pubs, bars, and restaurants in England will be forced to close their doors at least until December 2, although it could be longer.
However, whilst many in the industry got creative last time and allowed customers to buy freshly poured pints as a takeaway product, that will not be permitted this time around.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that the UK would spend the next month or so in lockdown once again to curb the spread of the virus and bring the rate of infection down.
That means that the pubs that have struggled to stay open throughout - apart from that time when the government told everyone to go to the pubs - will now have to close down again.
This time, they won't even be able to sell their alcohol to folks who simply want to enjoy a fresh draught pint in their own homes, as they're completely banned from selling alcohol.
The rules state: "Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed."
At least they'll still be able to serve takeaway food, if that is something they offer already.
Obviously, this has gone down like a lead balloon with many in the industry.
Nik Antona, the national chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said: "The second lockdown is a devastating blow for an industry that is already on its knees.
"Pubs across the country have already invested thousands to reopen COVID-safe environments despite facing seriously reduced incomes.
"We also need a clear route map out of lockdown which is based on evidence, otherwise we will see many pubs and breweries close their doors forever."
As well as the hospitality sector, there is a whole host of other businesses that must close their doors during this second lockdown period.
All non-essential retail, which includes - but is not limited to - car showrooms, electrical stores, travel agents, betting shops, tobacco and vape shops, and clothing shops.
Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as golf courses, driving ranges, bowling alleys, gyms and leisure centres, and swimming pools.
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, and casinos, as well as personal care businesses like hair salons, tattoo parlours, and tanning salons are all gone as well.
Obviously, that's not an exhaustive list, but it would take forever to define all of the 'non-essential' services that are shutting from next Thursday.
Let's hope that they can get the rate of infection down by December 2 before many of these businesses close their doors for good.
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