It has been estimated pubs will need at least three weeks notice in order to reopen once lockdown measures are lifted.
Wide ranging coronavirus measures were introduced on March 23 in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
The lockdown has seen daily life change dramatically, with many people working from home and businesses shutting up shop until further notice.
Pubs and bars have had to close their doors, like many other businesses, in order to comply with government guidance.
Now it is believed pubs will need at least three weeks notice regarding the lockdown being lifted in order to prepare to re-open.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said brewers will also need this time to scale up brewing operations to start re-supplying pubs and the on-trade with fresh beer, Nottinghamshire Live reports.
The time frame would enable pubs to give sufficient notice to furloughed staff who would be required to return to work while also ensuring equipment and systems are operating and cleaned, and cellars are re-stocked.
The trade association said this would in turn require some relaxation of social distancing measures ahead of a full re-opening, so clearance crews can operate effectively.
The early weeks and months after lockdown restrictions are lifted will be critical for tens of thousands of pubs, and their supply chains, including access to working capital, said the BBPA.
The economic value that Britain’s beer and pub sector provides, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports, will remain in a “precarious position” if the lifting of lockdown for pubs is not handled correctly, it was warned.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “It is extremely important that the beer and pub industry is closely consulted on the lifting of the lockdown restrictions when the Covid-19 crisis is over.
“The reopening process for the pub trade will be enormously hard and it’s imperative the Government work with the trade to get it right, else the situation would see even more pubs close.
“We want to work collaboratively with Government to ensure that society and the economy gets back on its feet in a safe and sustainable way once the medical and scientific advice indicates that a reopening is appropriate and with appropriate support in place.
“We believe the pub has a key role to play in this, but re-opening them must be done in the right way, which is why we are leading on these plans to get pubs ready for when the lockdown is lifted.”
