Spring is saved.
Takeaway pints were one of the few saviours of last summer, with a number of pubs (particularly in the Northern Quarter) permitted to fill up milk bottles, soup containers, paper cups and any other container that would allow it with fresh pints of beer straight from the tap. It was a novel thing after three months without the pub, and was the perfect accompaniment to the incredible weather we got during lockdown 1.0.
Now, the government has revealed that takeaway pints will finally be permitted again soon, after they were banned due to fears that they were encouraging people to congregate with others as the virus peaked.
Making up part of the government’s ‘step two’ of the lockdown easing plan, takeaway pints will be permitted again from April 12 (dependent on the four factors that will allow us to lift certain restrictions), in line with bars and restaurants reopening outdoors only. This will mean that those unable to get a table (which could be likely – particularly in Manchester where restaurants have now been closed for four months) will be able to enjoy a fresh drink for the first time since the beginning of November.
Manchester City Council extended certain premise’s licenses last summer, allowing for businesses to offer booze on an ‘off license’ basis, serve takeaway pints, and even extend their restaurants with outdoor seating areas which flowed into the streets of the city. The move allowed for further social distancing within the city and also allowed businesses to adapt to the pandemic in order to survive.
Get familiar with the government’s lengthy lockdown exit plan here.
[Featured image: Unsplash]