Rules for pubs and restaurants explained as hospitality opens for serving indoors

As part of Step Three of the government's roadmap out of lockdown, pubs and restaurants are now able to serve customers indoors.

This is a crucial stage for many industries, with some places being able to reopen for the first time in months.

Among those welcoming back customers are cinemas, museums and indoor hospitality settings.

From Monday, May 17, certain lockdown restrictions will be relaxing – but it won't be quite back to normal.

We're not quite at that point where we can just turn up at a pub or restaurants and order drinks at the bar.

There are now a strict set of rules in place for visiting any indoor hospitality settings.

What are the rules for pubs and restaurants?

Indoor hospitality will be allowed, subject to the Rule of Six (PA)

Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés are now allowed to serve customers inside– but it will be table service only.

That means you can't order drinks at the bar.

When not seated, for example while being shown to the table or going to the toilet, customers will need to a wear face covering.

There will not be a curfew, and there will be no requirement of having a substantial meal when ordering alcohol.

Despite the relaxing of social contact between friends and family, the one metre plus rule remains in indoor hospitality settings.

That means tables will be spaced apart, and there will be other measures in place to limit the risk of Covid-19, such as screens.

The Rule of Six will remain in all indoor hospitality settings.

That means you can only be seated inside in groups of up to six people from different households. If you're two households there is no limit. Support bubbles still count as a single household.

If you are seated outside you can be a group of up to 30 people.

Other things to be aware of is that some venues will have contactless ordering in place through apps and QR codes.

It's up to each individual venue whether they wish to impose a booking policy.

However, keep mind most places are likely to give you a time slot.

Previously only one person from each group was required to register their attendance on the NHS test and trace app.

As of today, all adults aged above 16 are required to do this.

What other rules will be relaxed from May 17?

There will be table service only when pubs open indoors (PA)

Indoor mixing will be allowed for groups of up to six people from different households, or two households of any size

Overnight stays will be allowed, subject to the rule of six

Groups of up to 30 people can gather outside

Social distancing between friends and family relaxed to allow close contact

Indoor hospitals return, with no curfew, but table service only

Indoor entertainment venues, such as museums, cinemas and children's play areas will be allowed to reopen

All remaining accommodation can reopen, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs

Large events, including concerts and sports events will be permitted with limits of capacity

Weddings, receptions and commemorative events can have 30 attendees

For funerals the cap on numbers will be lifted

Up to five named visitors can visit care homes

Pupils at secondary school and colleges will no longer be required to wear face coverings in classrooms or communal areas

University students can return to in-person teaching

Ban on international travel will be lifted, with traffic light system in place