Takeaway pints and cocktails will be back on the menu in England soon, Downing Street confirmed today.
Pubs, bars and restaurants had been banned from selling alcoholic drinks as takeaway since the third lockdown began in January.
But they will soon be permitted to make a return as the nation begins to ease out of lockdown.
Takeaway pints will be back on the menu once the country reaches step two in the Government's roadmap, which will be no earlier than April 12.
At that stage in lockdown easing, beer gardens and other outdoor hospitality settings will be able to reopen, with rules in place, along with non-essential retail.
Boris Johnson's spokesman dashed any hopes people will be able to get beer in plastic cups while hospitality venues are still shut though.
During some previous restrictions, people could continue to get takeaway alcohol from pubs even while they were closed.
But this privilege was withdrawn in England's third national lockdown amid concerns it was leading to large groups of people congregating.
Restaurant and pub operators had slammed the decision, saying it gave an 'unfair advantage' to off-licenses and supermarkets at the expense of the hard-hit hospitality industry.
Today Downing Street confirmed that takeaway alcohol will be allowed again in “Step 2, from no earlier than April 12, in line with outdoor hospitality”.
Other rules and restrictions on hospitality that will be scrapped as venues reopen will be the curfew, and the substantial meal rule.
Do you think it was right to ban booze in the first place? Have your say in the comments below.
