This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a significant announcement regarding the easing of lockdown measures in England. As part of this effort, pubs and other hospitality venues were set to reopen on July 4, marking a major milestone in the country's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawmakers in parliament cheered as Johnson called time on the first countrywide closure of pubs since the Great Plague of 1665. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of applying common sense and minimizing contact between staff and customers, with table service only and regulars required to provide contact details in case of any local outbreak.
Johnson's announcement came as the government faced pressure over its handling of the COVID-19 crisis and its efforts to reopen the country. An Oxford Economics study had warned that 200,000 jobs were at risk, with theatre revenues down by £3 billion ($3.8 billion, €3.3 billion). The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) also highlighted the industry's struggles, with sales of beer slumping to their lowest level on record in the first quarter of 2020.
Despite these challenges, Johnson remained optimistic, stating that Britons had an 'inalienable right' to go to the pub. He also announced a relaxation of the two-metre social distancing rule, allowing up to 28,000 pubs to reopen, compared to only a third at two metres. The BBPA's chief executive, Emma McClarkin, welcomed the move, describing it as 'the first step on what will be a very long road to recovery'.
Other businesses, including cinemas, museums, and galleries, were also set to reopen on July 4, as well as restaurants, hotels, and self-catering accommodation. Shuttered barbers and hairdressers were given the green light to resume business, with the government urging all firms to comply with measures to cut close-contact transmission of the virus.
As the country took its first steps towards recovery, the British government recorded nearly 43,000 deaths of those who had tested positive for COVID-19, the worst toll in Europe. However, scientists warned about moving too fast to reopen the country, given fresh spikes overseas and fears of a second wave of infection.
