On Monday, Boris Johnson announced plans to end all social distancing and Covid-related restrictions in the UK from July 19, a move that has caused some division.
The prime minister is aiming to “restore people’s freedoms” with measures – including mask-wearing – set to be abolished in England later this month. This comes amid a rise in cases related to the Delta variant, however ministers believe the vaccination rollout has managed to cut the number of people suffering from a serious bout of Covid or hospitalisation. Scientists are still encouraging people to be cautious once the restrictions are lifted.
This will effectively return life to “normal” – or something that starts to resemble what life was like before March 2020 – and this includes pubs and nightclubs. Ordering at the bar in pubs will return and customers will no longer be required to sit at a table of six. Registering your presence at a venue via the NHS app will not be required either.
While this may be seen as good news for some, not everyone is keen as it would appear that many have gotten used to – and actually enjoy – table service in pubs, which is quite frankly a lot easier than waiting to get served at a bar for 20 minutes.
— ︎joe (@jxeker) July 5, 2021
Am I the only one who will miss table service and ordering drinks on an app after 19th July? So much easier than a squash around the bar. And less intimidating .
— Cristina Nicolotti S (@skynewsgirl) July 5, 2021
Unpopular view, but I really like table service in pubs. Can we keep it?
— Glenn Ebrey (@glennebrey) July 5, 2021
I really enjoyed table service tbh https://t.co/uA23YZ1E15
— Dan Marino (@Ludo4PF) July 5, 2021
I’m not a pub person, as you may or may not know. But table service has been a godsend during the pandemic, and would absolutely enhance the experience going forward. I tap my screen and a drink is brought to me vs fighting to catch the eye of the bartender? HMM LET ME THINK https://t.co/CJ2tKMBKxa
— Chris Hewitt (@ChrisHewitt) July 4, 2021
Can we keep table service in pubs and the general public staying at least one metre away from me pls
— Jill (@LipglossJill) July 5, 2021
Boris lifting restrictions will be an absolute fucking catastrophe…. Not because of COVID, but because I like half empty bars and table service.
— Les Grossman (@LesGrossman145) July 5, 2021
Can we keep table service in pubs though? I can’t be arsed to queue again
— Emma (@81emmajd) July 5, 2021
Minor I know when people are still dying but I prefer table service in pubs to queuing at the bar.
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) July 5, 2021
Hope it stays.
Not just Covid-related but I'd like table service to stay. It's been nice not to be ignored as a small woman at a bar.
— Cath Feely (@cathfeely) July 4, 2021
I would be happy if I never had to order a drink for the bar ever again. Table service has been great
— Ann Mroz (@AnnMroz) July 5, 2021
However, some are happy to see the return of ordering at the bar
Can’t relate to wanting to keep table service because I am very young and beautiful and never get ignored at the bar, sorry x
— Cate in the Kitchen 🧁 (@catekitchen) July 5, 2021
That being said, the overwhelming consensus is that table service is good and many want it to stay but it will most likely depend on bar staff available and the number of people in a pub at one time.
Although it is no longer a legal requirement, some venues may still implement one-way systems and provide extra sanitation. Some may still ask people to check-in via the NHS App in order to help the Test and Trace service keep track of coronavirus.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said: “The guidance will be that it is a good thing to do to support Test and Trace and contact tracing. But as more people are allowed into venues without booking, it becomes more challenging operationally so the regulation will be lifted.
“The regulations on things like table service go, all capacity limits would be lifted after that, and in addition to that, the gathering limits for the rule of six indoors and 30 outdoors would be lifted. The remaining businesses that are closed in law will be able to reopen, including nightclubs.”
