When are pubs reopening? Date UK bars and restaurants can open as Boris Johnson announces new rules from 4 July

Lockdown restrictions in England are to be further relaxed in the coming weeks, following the UK government’s latest review.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced several changes to restrictions in the House of Commons on Tuesday (23 June), including whether it is safe to reopen pubs.

When will pubs reopen?

Many businesses that have been forced to remain closed will be permitted to reopen in England from 4 July, providing they are “Covid-secure”.

This will include pubs, bars, restaurants, cades and workplace canteens, which can reopen with a limited table service.

Mr Johnson backed calls for people to "do their patriotic best for Britain" and head to the pubs when they reopen in July, but warned people to do so in a responsible manner.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: "Yes, I do encourage people to take advantage of the freedoms that they are rightly reacquiring, but I must stress that people should act in a responsible way.

"And I know that that is where the public are. I know that is what people want to see."

"Yes I want to see people out in the shops - it is a fantastic thing to see; yes I want to see people taking advantage of hospitality again, a wonderful thing; yes I want to see people enjoying friends and family again, but they've got to do it in a responsible way and observing social distancing."

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on 18 June that pubs will not be permitted to reopen just yet, and explained she expected to have further scientific advice in two weeks.

Further guidance on the reopening of pubs and beer gardens in Scotland is due to be set out on or around 2 July.

Similarly, pubs are not yet permitted to reopen in Wales, while in Northern Ireland, pubs and restaurants are expected to begin trading again by 20 July at the latest.

What safety measures will be in place?

The reopening of pubs and restaurants will require businesses to observe a range of safety measures, to ensure the risk of transmission is kept to a minimum.

Standing by the bar will not be allowed initially, with pubs advised to provide table service in an effort to reduce the amount of interaction on shared surfaces.

Restaurant and bar managers will also be asked to take the contact details of those who visit their premises.

This is so that the contact details can be handed to the NHS test and trace team in the event of a local coronavirus outbreak, and people will then be advised to self-isolate.

There will not be a limit on the size of two households who visit the pub together, but additional people will not be allowed to join the group in an effort to limit the chain of transmission.

Other safety measures may include introducing one-way systems, installing Perspex screens, spaced queuing, increased ventilation and staggering staff shift patterns.