The two dates when pubs and restaurants could reopen according to the lockdown road map

Restaurants and pubs in the North East were last open for dine in customers before the second lockdown in November 2020 – so when will businesses be able to reopen?
Indoor hospitality will reopen in May, though places offering outdoor hospitality can reopen in AprilIndoor hospitality will reopen in May, though places offering outdoor hospitality can reopen in April
Indoor hospitality will reopen in May, though places offering outdoor hospitality can reopen in April

The hospitality sector faced a series of blows since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 – especially in the North East with cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs being closed since November 5.

Currently, restaurants and takeaways are allowed to open on a takeaway only basis.

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Boris Johnson has now unveiled the outline of the Government’s plan to bring England out of lockdown with the reopening schools and reuniting families being the Prime Minister’s first focuses.

Four tests will be used by the Government to assess the impact of opening certain areas of society back up after lockdown, with Mr Johnson indicating he'll be taking a "data not dates" approach to easing restrictions.

So when will restaurants and pubs reopen?

Outdoor hospitality in pubs and restaurants will be allowed to reopen from April 12 with the rule of six being enforced.

All indoor pubs and restaurants will then reopen from May 17 but the rule of six will still apply.

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Will there be a curfew or meal requirements?

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No, there will be no curfew under the relaxing of lockdown hospitality restrictions and the Prime Minister said there will be no requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a "substantial meal.”

Mr Johnson told MPs: “We will begin to reopen our pubs and restaurants outdoors and honourable members will be relieved there will be no curfew and the Scotch egg debate will be over as there will be no requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a substantial meal.”

When will I be able to go to the pub with more than six people?

By June 21, Boris Johnson says they will aim to remove all legal limits on social contact which includes the rule of six.

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The Prime Minister said he wanted to avoid a fourth lockdown and to offer “more certainty and more reliability” to businesses rather than act in haste, after calls to reopen the hospitality sector indoors sooner.

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