Beer Gardens Could Open Again On 12 April

Right guys, the announcement has been made, and we've finally got a time-frame for when things might just start to feel a bit less bleak.

The Prime Minister has announced the 'roadmap' - for want of a better way of putting it - to ease the UK out of lockdown, and that means that within less than 50 days we could be sitting in a beer garden, enjoying a pint once again.

Yes, if - and it's still a big 'if' - everything goes to plan, we could be back in the pub, or outside it at least, by 12 April.

OK, it's worth pointing out that 12 April is the day that the review will take place, so it's unlikely that we'll be allowed straight back, but it's nice to set a target, right?

In the Prime Minister's roadmap, he set out four stages for reopening and restarting the country after this third - and probably worst - lockdown that we've all been in for so damn long.

Step one begins on 8 March when the schools will return.

Then from 29 March, groups of up to six people - or two households - will be able to meet up outdoors to socialise, putting meet-ups in gardens and parks back on the menu.

Next, after a minimum of five weeks, pubs and restaurants could be allowed to serve food and drink outdoors from that 12 April date.

As well as that, personal care businesses like hairdressers and beauty parlours may reopen after that date, and non-essential retail will throw open the doors once again.

Phase three, which again will take place after a minimum of five weeks of phase two, will see people be allowed to mix once again indoors.

That means that you would actually be allowed inside the pub or restaurant. Entertainment venues would also be able to open up again, and trial events will be looked into.

Then, the all-important fourth stage will hopefully see all legal limits on social contact removed, and restrictions left up to everyone's personal choice.

That means that you can still play it safe if you want, but also you might have the chance to go to a nightclub or a sporting event, if that's your thing.

Hopefully we'll have seen the cases, hospitalisations and deaths drop off markedly by then, because - let's not forget - that's the most important thing of all.

Still, that first pint outside a pub is going to go down sweet.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, UK News, Interesting, Coronavirus, Food And Drink

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim