DRINKERS still face a miserable time even though the Lockdown has ended.
England has returned to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions after its second national lockdown ended.
Pubs and restaurants are now allowed to reopen in tier one and two areas, although in tier two alcohol can only be served with a “substantial meal”.
The tougher new system came into force on Wednesday after being approved by MPs in a Commons vote on Tuesday.
The government said the move would help “safeguard the gains made during the past month”, despite 55 Tories voting against PM Boris Johnson’s plan.
More than 55 million people are in the strictest two tiers and cannot mix indoors with those in other households.
Non-essential shops and other businesses, including personal care services such as hairdressers and beauty salons, can now reopen for the first time in four weeks.
Drinkers may have it bad but many shop workers face a miserable Christmas. We have recently seen the collapse of Topshop owner Arcadia group and the failure of department store chain Debenhams to secure a buyer – putting 25,000 jobs at risk.
The new restrictions are tougher than the previous tier system, which was in place before the lockdown was introduced in November.