All hospitality, including pubs and restaurants, have been closed since England's latest national lockdown began in early January 2020.
Currently, restaurants are allowed to be open for takeaway, but customers are not allowed to dine in.
At the moment venues in England are allowed to provide food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway until 11pm, and be open for click-and-collect and drive-through services.
The government has a four-step plan to get the UK out of lockdown, which started on March 8 with the reopening of schools.
The rules eased further on Monday March 29, which means groups of up to six people can meet again in outdoor spaces.
But unfortunately, the dates for the reopening of pubs and restaurants are a little bit further down the line.
Here is everything you need to know about the gradual reopening of hospitality venues including restaurants and pubs.
When will pubs and restaurants reopen?
The first date to put in your diary is April 12 . This is the earliest pubs and restaurants will open for dine-in – but at this point it ill be outdoor service only.
That means restaurants and pubs will only be allowed to open if they have suitable space outside to make it safe for customers.
The good news is that this means pub beer gardens can open, customers won’t need to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks, and there is no curfew.
However, rules around social contact will still remain in place, and it will be table service only.
That means the rule of six will apply, or you can be two households of any size.
The next date to take note of is May 17 , which is the earliest indoor hospitality can reopen. But customers will still have to eat and drink when seated.
The rule of six or two household rule will also apply indoors, which means you can go to a restaurant with up to five people you don’t live with.
On June 21 at the earliest, all restrictions will be lifted, meaning there should be no limit to who you can go to a pub or restaurant with.
All these dates are subject to all “four tests”, which the government has set out, being met along the way.
