This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
As pubs in Britain reopen on Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to avoid overindulgence, citing concerns that large gatherings could trigger new waves of infections.
Johnson's warning comes after tens of thousands of Britons flocked to beaches, organized illegal music parties, and violated social-distancing rules in recent weeks, despite the country reporting the world's third-highest pandemic death toll.
“Let's not blow it now, folks,” Johnson told LBC radio on Friday, weeks after he announced that the country's “long hibernation” was over and that the virus was under control.
Restaurant industry workers have expressed fears of returning to work, and concerns are high that pub customers could flout basic rules and trigger new outbreaks.
On Wednesday, the Treasury tweeted that people should “grab a drink and raise a glass” when pubs reopen, but the tweet was later deleted.
As pubs reopen, they will have to maintain a 21-day record of their customers, the government has said, to trace contacts in case of new outbreaks.
However, pubs in Leicester will remain closed due to a regional outbreak of virus cases.
The British authorities also announced on Friday that, starting July 10, travelers from countries in Europe, including France, Italy, and Spain, will no longer have to self-quarantine for 14 days, but this change will only apply to England.
