Super Saturday: UK Braces for a ‘Boozy Weekend’ as Hundreds of Thousands Expected to Head Down to the Pub

Boris Johnson: “We must all act responsibly when pubs reopen on Saturday.”

Hospitality venues such as pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants have been given the green light to reopen this weekend as part of the latest easing of lockdown measures, which saw them ordered to close back in March.

The Prime Minister will say Saturday is “about supporting the livelihoods of business owners and employees up and down the country” as pubs across the UK open their doors fully for the first time in months, he will also say the reopening “will only succeed if everyone works together” and warn that restrictions will re-imposed if coronavirus “starts running out of control again.”

Businesses in England have been rushing to make sure they are ready for the so-called ‘Super Saturday’ after Mr Johnson said they could reopen from July 4 after more than 100 days of lockdown.

Leading a Downing Street press conference today, Boris Johnson will tell the public that the health of the economy “is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly.”

The Prime Minister is expected to implore people to act safely when lockdown measures are eased on Saturday in what will likely be a major test for keeping coronavirus transmissions down.

Getting used to the new ‘Normality’ in Pubs.

Visitors will be asked to give their name and contact details to the pub either when they make a booking, or when they arrive. This temporary record will now be kept by pubs for 21 days so those who visit can be contacted if there is a localised breakout of coronavirus.

The government guidance reads: “You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of your customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed.

YouGov Poll

A recent government poll, however, revealed that 60 per cent of the population are worried and have reservations about going to the pubs over the weekend, citing concerns about the chances of picking up the coronavirus. Similar figures were obtained when the public were asked if they would go back to cinemas and restaurants. When asked if they would make the trip and see their friends and family however the figures were much higher.