Britons complain of sore heads after packing outdoor pubs and restaurants for the first time

Millions of Britons were waking up to their first pub hangover of the year this morning after packing bars and restaurants for scenes of carnage as lockdown restrictions were eased.

Drinkers appeared to take full advantage of the government loosening tight Covid regulations yesterday to hit beer gardens throughout the country.

This morning plenty were nursing sore heads and reaching for the pints of water as alcohol-induced headaches were reported nationwide.

But the ill-effects were celebrated by some as a sign of the country’s progress in getting nearer to normal.

One drinker declared ‘Happy to announce that I have a hangover after a night in a pub’ while another celebrated a ‘cracking day’.

Meanwhile one reveller spoke for many when she said ‘The hangover from April 12 is really like no other’. 

Two women are seen on the ground in a street as people crowd the Soho area last night as pint glasses littered the road

Arrests as outdoor drinking and dining resumes in London for the Glorious 12th as lockdown restricts were eased last night

Arrests as outdoor drinking and dining resumes in London for the Glorious 12th as lockdown restricts were eased last night

The police try to clear the streets of Soho at 11pm as pubs, restaurants and bars close after the first day open after lockdown

The police try to clear the streets of Soho at 11pm as pubs, restaurants and bars close after the first day open after lockdown

One man was seen appearing to be detained by three masked police officers, who held his arms behind his back as he was against a railing

One man was seen appearing to be detained by three masked police officers, who held his arms behind his back as he was against a railing

An ambulance was called to take away one lady who was found slumped on a pavement in Birmingham late last night

An ambulance was called to take away one lady who was found slumped on a pavement in Birmingham late last night

One drinker got carried away - by her friend - in Birmingham as young and old joined together to enjoy restrictions easing

One drinker got carried away – by her friend – in Birmingham as young and old joined together to enjoy restrictions easing

Drinking in the street in the Soho area of London last night as coronavirus restrictions eased and the celebrations started

Drinking in the street in the Soho area of London last night as coronavirus restrictions eased and the celebrations started

A group of friends drink tequila at a table outside a bar in the Northern Quarter of central Manchester last night

A group of friends drink tequila at a table outside a bar in the Northern Quarter of central Manchester last night

Officers tried to enforce social distancing in nightlife hub Soho – where post-lockdown scenes of chaos emerged last year as hoardes of lockdown-weary partygoers took to the streets when restrictions eased.

One man looked to have been detained by three masked officers who held his arms behind his back as he was pushed against a railing last night. The man was later seen being led away.

England – which took its next cautious step to freedom yesterday by allowing pubs and restaurants to reopen to customers outdoors – saw an increase in cases but no trend was visible in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which all have different restrictions enforced.

For some parts of the country this was the first time hospitality had been opened since November last year since they were plunged into the strict and universally unpopular tiers restrictions.  

Soho appeared to be back to normal last night despite it being less than one day out of the coronavirus lockdown measures

Soho appeared to be back to normal last night despite it being less than one day out of the coronavirus lockdown measures

Soho welcomed back drinkers in their hundreds who did their best to social distance despite the huge numbers out and about

Soho welcomed back drinkers in their hundreds who did their best to social distance despite the huge numbers out and about

Revellers partied the night away in Birmingham's Arcadian complex in the city's China Town on the first night of lifted rules

Revellers partied the night away in Birmingham’s Arcadian complex in the city’s China Town on the first night of lifted rules

Forgotten how it's done? One reveller was pictured appearing to inhale his two drinks through his nose as he returned to bars

Forgotten how it’s done? One reveller was pictured appearing to inhale his two drinks through his nose as he returned to bars

Revellers last night enjoyed a taste of lockdown freedom with their first pub drink in four months, as England lifted rules

Revellers last night enjoyed a taste of lockdown freedom with their first pub drink in four months, as England lifted rules

What restrictions have now been eased from the strict lockdown? 

  • All non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen, as will hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms and swimming pools, with no group classes allowed.
  • Pubs, restaurants and cafes can reopen for outdoor service, but will have to wait until at least May 17 to serve customers indoors.
  • Mass testing to be available, with everyone urged to take two tests per week.
  • New care home rules will allow residents to have two visitors, rather than just one.
  • Self-catering accommodation, including campsites, can reopen, but hotels and B&Bs must remain closed until at least May 17.
  • Shops will be allowed to stay open until 10pm, six days a week, in a bid to reduce crowding.
  • The maximum number of people allowed to attend weddings and wakes will rise from six to 15.
  • Public buildings can reopen, as can outdoor attractions such as theme parks and zoos.
  • Controversial hospitality rules such as the 10pm curfew and requirement to buy a ‘substantial meal’ with alcohol will be dropped.
  • Clothes shops will be allowed to reopen their changing rooms for the first time in more than a year.

Still banned – 

Until May 17 at the earliest: Gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors, with the rule of six and two-household rule indoors; pubs and restaurants will reopen indoors; and controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower, will be permitted. 

Outdoor events will be allowed to have a capacity of 50 per cent or 4,000 people, whichever is lower; while special provisions will be made for large, outdoor, seated venues where crowds can be spaced out, with up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of total seated capacity, whichever is lower.

Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events, including wakes. Indoor gatherings like exercise classes will be given the go ahead. 

Until June 21 at the earliest: All legal limits on social contact will be lifted and nightclubs reopened.  

Number 10’s scientific advisers have always warned easing restrictions would cause coronavirus infections to rise by allowing people to mix together but because millions of people have been vaccinated, the NHS shouldn’t be overwhelmed.

But experts tracking England’s outbreak say none of the planned steps taken so far – reopening schools on March 8 and dropping strict stay at home guidance on March 29 – have caused any noticeable problems. 

Experts say it is ‘entirely possible’ the U-turn in the figures could be down to the Easter bank holiday. It takes up to seven days for people to show symptoms of Covid and get their test results back. 

Revellers last weekend flocked to parks to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the first weekend of England’s eased restrictions to make the most of the rule of six to see family and friends.

Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, said the daily figure were an important reminder that the numbers are not ‘guaranteed to go down’ and that timing-wise the spike coincided with Easter.   

The rise may also be explained by recording delays, with testing numbers known to dip on public holidays due to the way swabs are recorded and because fewer people come forward for them.

Meanwhile, a group of girls were seen cheering, singing and celebrating as they enjoyed their first night out in four months.

Crowds were seen gathered in Newcastle however, where pictures captured a raucous party-goer lying in the road with drink-in-hand as revellers watched on in surprise.

In Manchester and Leeds pub-goers were dressed in their glad rags as they enjoyed their first night on the town since the lockdown measures were imposed in January.

Police officers had earlier been seen patrolling popular Old Compton Street and neighbouring areas, after revellers had flocked there to enjoy al-fresco dining and drinks.

Several West End streets were closed to traffic between 5pm-11pm to create outdoor seating areas as part of measures implemented by Westminster City Council to support hospitality businesses.

Pictures and videos being shared online show people packed onto tables laden with food and drinks, while several dozen more stood on the streets cheering the first night of pubs and bars reopening.

Attila Kulcsar, a media communications manager, said the crowds felt ‘like a return to the ‘real’ Soho of the 1990s’.

‘Tonight’s atmosphere beats the whole of last summer… it really is like how I imagine VE Day,’ the 54-year-old said.

Pubs up and down the country threw open their beer gardens and outdoor drinking areas for the first time since early January, while shops, gyms and hairdressers were finally allowed to reopen. Pictured: Police attempted to maintain order in Soho last night

Pubs up and down the country threw open their beer gardens and outdoor drinking areas for the first time since early January, while shops, gyms and hairdressers were finally allowed to reopen. Pictured: Police attempted to maintain order in Soho last night

But as day turned to night, and the drinks flowed, rowdy revellers faced a crackdown from police. Officers were seen attempting to enforce social distancingi n London's famous nightlife district of Soho. Pictured: Revellers enjoyed a night out in Manchester after restrictions were lifted

But as day turned to night, and the drinks flowed, rowdy revellers faced a crackdown from police. Officers were seen attempting to enforce social distancingi n London’s famous nightlife district of Soho. Pictured: Revellers enjoyed a night out in Manchester after restrictions were lifted

Crowds were seen gathered in Newcastle, where pictures show a raucous party-goer lying in the road with drink-in-hand as revellers watched on in surprise

Crowds were seen gathered in Newcastle, where pictures show a raucous party-goer lying in the road with drink-in-hand as revellers watched on in surprise

In Leeds a group of girls were seen cheering and celebrating as they enjoyed their first night out in four months

In Leeds a group of girls were seen cheering and celebrating as they enjoyed their first night out in four months

Britons partied in the streets of Soho on Monday night as measures were lifted on pubs and bars in England for the first time since January

Britons partied in the streets of Soho on Monday night as measures were lifted on pubs and bars in England for the first time since January

It was hugs and celebrations for revellers in Soho on Monday night, as hundreds took to the street in celebration of the easing of lockdown measures

It was hugs and celebrations for revellers in Soho on Monday night, as hundreds took to the street in celebration of the easing of lockdown measures

Groups gathered in the streets to enjoy a drink in scenes one person described as being 'like VE Day'

Groups gathered in the streets to enjoy a drink in scenes one person described as being ‘like VE Day’

‘It’s almost like watching Hogarth paintings come to life in 2021. There is a wonderfully raucous hysteria everywhere. It’s very celebratory.

‘There is very little social distancing. A distinct sense that people feel the Covid restrictions have ended.

‘There are lots of police around Soho as well as Covid Marshalls, but there is no word from them about social distancing… if anything they seem to be joining in the festivities.’

Westminster City Council said it was aware of ‘isolated incidents of crowding’ and that it was working with businesses to ensure they are operating ‘responsibly and safely in line with guidance’.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk