Pubs ‘not open again until May’
PUBS and restaurant may not reopen until May, according to a reported three-stage lockdown exit plan.
Officials are said to be working on proposals that could see most shops closed until April and hospitality venues until the following month.
PM Boris Johnson has signalled that current restrictions will continue until at least March 8, with schools the first to open from that point.
But depending on cases, deaths and the vaccinations, it could be weeks later before all pupils return.
And under the “staggered approach”, if school reopening is delayed, the other measures would be pushed back as well.
A Whitehall source said: “If schools open in March it means other things have to remain closed for some time.
“We have to avoid the situation last time where the return of schools meant far greater household mixing.
“That means we’d be likely to wait at least another month for nonessential retail and a month more at least for pubs and restaurants.”
A Government source did not deny the plans but said: “We’re nowhere close to knowing any timetables.”
Under pressure from rebellious Tory backbenchers, Johnson has promised a February 22 “roadmap” out of the lockdown.
Industry chiefs warned forcing pubs and restaurants to stay closed would cost millions of jobs.
It came as figures reveal the impact on the high street with 13.7% shops empty in the last quarter of 2020, up from 13.3% the previous quarter.
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