ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Video Shows Revellers Flooding Streets Of Soho To Celebrate Pubs Reopening

Video Shows Revellers Flooding Streets Of Soho To Celebrate Pubs Reopening

Not everyone is so convinced that this is a good idea

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Yesterday (4 July), pubs reopened again as coronavirus lockdown measures in England were eased. Unsurprisingly, many headed straight out for a drink - as you can see from the below clip filmed in Soho, London.

The video was shared on Twitter with the caption: "Soho in London is jammers, mask on and home time for me. Absolute madness."

It's received over 6,000 retweets and 5,000 likes - with comments split between those condemning the crowds for not socially distancing and others who spoke out against 'pub shamers'.

One person commented: "How many of these people are going home to elderly parents/visiting grandparents, how many work in care homes, how many are delivery staff? So irresponsible so bloody British."

Another said: "Brilliant, hope they all had a good time being free."

The Sun predicted that as many as 15 million pints could have been consumed at the 23,000 or so venues that reopened.

The streets of the UK's major cities, as well as everywhere else, thronged with life once again as revellers enjoyed their new found freedom.

However, this freedom comes with responsibility. A lot of people - including police and politicians - have questioned whether the move to reopen the pubs, as well as other non-essential businesses, has come too soon.

PA

After all, the UK's chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty warned the other day the virus that has claimed the lives of thousands of people 'is a long way from gone' and stressed the need for people to respect the rules around social distancing when returning to society.

He added: "None of us believe, and I'm sure nobody watching this believes, this is a risk-free next step. It is absolutely not, that is why we have to be really serious about it.

"There's no doubt these are environments whose principal job it is to bring people together, that's a great thing to do socially but it's also a great thing from the virus' point of view."

PA

"Therefore, we do have to have a really clear and really disciplined approach to try and maintain social distancing whilst also enjoying pubs."

Now, that's all well and good, but alcohol, respecting common sense rules, and acting in our own best interests do not exactly walk hand-in-hand.

From the looks of it, some folks were unable to observe social distancing, and - naturally - the police had to intervene on more than a few occasions with people who'd had too much.

PA

Police Federation chairman John Apter, who walked the beat in Southampton last night, said that it was made 'crystal clear' that drunk folks can't properly socially distance.

Well, duh.

Apter explained: "What was crystal clear is that drunk people can't/won't socially distance.

"It was a busy night but the shift managed to cope.

"I know other areas have had issues with officers being assaulted."

PA

Here's hoping that this doesn't come back to bite the English population on the backside, and that everyone can restrain themselves enough so as not to cause a resurgence in the virus.

The government has long said that they'd not hesitate to bring back the lockdown, and nobody wants that.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News