If you’re sad about not being able to drink at your local pub during the new lockdown, there is a way to drown your sorrows at home – order your pints via post instead!
Official regulations confirmed pubs and restaurants, hairdressers and most shops will have to close from midnight tonight, provided MPs approve Boris Johnson’s lockdown plans tonight.
But an 11th hour U-turn means pubs can now keep some kind custom going, as long as drinkers order by phone or website.
They will not be allowed inside the premises but will be able to turn up to collect their alcohol.
The detailed second lockdown legislation revealed the curious anomalies when they were finally put out last night.
Pubs will be able to sell takeaway drinks to customers who order online or by phone, text or post (stock image used)
What are the rules and punishments?
The complex rules, enforced by fines of up to £10,000 tripped up two Cabinet ministers yesterday.
Michael Gove was forced to apologise after wrongly suggesting people could play tennis and golf with one other person – both sports are in fact banned.
And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wrongly said a family could meet up with a friend in the park.
Downing Street confirmed only one adult can meet up with another adult from a different household outside unless they are in a support bubble.
Although pubs and restaurants will be allowed to sell take away food, Downing Street had previously said they would be banned from selling alcoholic drinks to take away.
However, the new regulations state pubs will be able to sell drinks to takeaway customers, provided they have been ordered via a website or by telephone, text or post.
The move was welcomed last night by the Society of Independent Brewers, which said that small brewers and pubs had ‘proven their ability to trade responsibly during Covid’.
Can I go to work?
Everyone who can work from home must do so.
Those who can’t can continue going into work.
What are the rules for schools?
People are allowed to attend school, university or another place of education or training.
This also means there is scope for at-home teaching and tutoring, such as music lessons, but the government has advised a move to online teaching where possible.
Secondary school pupils and teachers in England could also be told to wear masks on the premises.
Children will be permitted to play football and other team sports at school, but banned from playing with schoolmates at local clubs.
What are the rules on sport?
Ministers faced a growing backlash over the clampdown on sport.
Children will be permitted to play football and other team sports at school under a number of curious anomalies (stock image used)
Pupils cannot play football and other team sports outside of school despite evidence the virus doesn’t spread well in children.
The rules prompted anger among sports figures who argue they are ‘nonsensical’ and pose a threat to children’s health.
Yesterday, sports figures led opposition to the Government’s ban on children playing sports outside school.
Football pundit Robbie Savage branded the plans ‘nonsensical’ as he said there were inconsistencies in allowing children to mix during school but not while playing grassroots sports at the weekend.
And Damian Collins, who was previously chairman of the digital, culture, media and sport committee, urged the Government to reconsider its position.
He said: ‘If we recognise that children are better off in school, even with Covid, then I think we should recognise they’re better off doing grassroots sports than… being stuck at home.
The PM’s official spokesman said: ‘Sport is permitted in school settings. In terms of outside, we do need to reduce transmission from households mixing.
‘As soon as can resume grassroots sports for children, we will.’
What are the rules on outdoor venues?
Nature lovers will be allowed to visit parks and gardens, including paid-entry venues like the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley in Surrey.
But they will be banned from visiting many botanical gardens and sculpture parks.
However, Kew Gardens in south-west London, said it will remain open – though its buildings, including glasshouses, will be shut.
What are the rules for takeaway drinks from pubs?
In an 11th hour move last night, the Government decided pubs could open for takeaway drinks.
In a relaxation of the original plans expected to start tomorrow, punters will be able to collect pre-ordered alcohol – on the condition they do not enter a pub or bars’ premises.
The drink must be ordered via a website, phone or text message while venues can also deliver beverages.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, told the BBC: ‘Takeaway alcohol from pubs if it is pre-ordered and customers don’t enter the premises is movement, but still not anywhere near enough.
Funerals will be allowed to go ahead with up to 30 guests under new lockdown rules (stock image used)
‘Supermarkets and off-licences can still sell alcohol, so this is grossly unfair on pubs with off-licences. It remains the case that to help pubs and brewers survive, and to stop up to 7.5 million pints from being wasted, the government needs to give pubs the same ability to sell off-licence alcohol as it did in the first lockdown.’
Can I visit my second home?
People will be banned from visiting second homes unless they need to carry out work required for the potential sale or rental of the property.
What about funerals and weddings?
Funerals will be allowed to go ahead with up to 30 guests, but weddings will be limited to six people.
Can I leave the country?
No. The government is advising against all but essential international travel and only for work. However, reasons for travel will not be checked.
Travel within the country is also discouraged.