Pubs look set to have very different rules when they are allowed to reopen after lockdown, according to reports.
Boris Johnson is reported to be planning to allow pubs and restaurants across the country to reopen from April.
This could come in time for Easter, and will be announced in the week of February 22 - less than 10 days away.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the curfew rule that saw all pubs have to close by 10pm - in place before the current lockdown - will be scrapped.
And pubs will no longer have to make you order a substantial meal if you want a drink.
The Mail says pubs will be allowed to serve drinks outside first, as the Government also allows households to take picnics outdoors, and individuals to meet with one other person outside.
Tennis and golf will be allowed from April, it is claimed.
During a visit to a vaccine manufacturing plant in Teesside yesterday, Mr Johnson said: "I'm optimistic, I won't hide it from you. I'm optimistic, but we have to be cautious."
He continued: "Our children's education is our number one priority, but then working forward, getting non-essential retail open as well and then, in due course as and when we can prudently, cautiously, of course we want to be opening hospitality as well."
Lockdown-sceptic Tories have piled pressure on Mr Johnson, with a letter signed by 63 MPs calling on him to completely lift restrictions by the end of April.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the leaders of the Covid Recovery Group (CRG) said the "tremendous pace" of the vaccination rollout meant restrictions should begin easing from early March.
It said: "The vaccine gives us immunity from Covid but it must also give us permanent immunity from Covid-related lockdowns and restrictions."
