Boozers could become coronavirus clusters when they reopen after lockdown, one of the UK's top scientists has warned.
England's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance says there is a danger of Covid-19 "superspreading" in pubs.
As England prepares to reopen bars and restaurants tomorrow the country's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the coronavirus pandemic "is a long way from gone" as he urged the public to follow social-distancing rules.
Standing between them at the Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the English public to "enjoy summer safely" so the ailing economy can be boosted without causing the virus to spread uncontrollably.
Prof Whitty 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's point of view.
"And therefore we do have to have a really clear and really disciplined approach to try and maintain social distancing whilst also enjoying pubs."
Prof Whitty added that "there is no perfect, exact way" of easing lockdown as he discussed the balancing act being undertaken, adding: "We are going to have health problems, and economic problems, for sure."
He applied the pressure on the public and business owners to follow the restrictions, adding that if they "do not take them seriously, the possibility of a second wave goes up sharply".
Meanwhile, documents released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) identified bars in other countries as settings for coronavirus clusters and superspreading events.
The Government scientists suggested pubs, bars and restaurants would be the types of places that close first in the event of subsequent outbreaks.
Johnson said he did not want to return to a national closure of all pubs, preferring to take more targeted measures now, but said he would "retain all measures in reserve".
In Scotland beer gardens are due to open on Monday and it is expected pubs and bars will be allowed to start welcoming customers indoors on July 15.
