One-metre rule on course ‘to be scrapped next month’

In a meeting with the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, the Prime Minister said eliminating the measure was the 'single biggest difference' the Government could bring about in order to get Britain's pubs back into action, and he was eager to ditch the rule by 21 June. 

It comes after Johnson threw doubt on the further lifting of restrictions last Friday (14 May), telling a Downing Street press briefing that the Indian Covid-19 variant could 'pose serious disruption' to the Government's plan to drop legal limits on mixing​​ under the final stage of its four-stage roadmap out of lockdown.

However, The Times​​ ​reports that the Prime Minister told the 1922 Committee on Wednesday (19 May) that he was confident about abolishing the one-metre plus rule next month.  

One MP who was at the 1922 meeting said: "He seemed very upbeat about removing the one-metre-plus rule next month.

"He told us he fully realises that it is the biggest difference the government can make to letting pubs serve customers in reasonably normal conditions and that means getting rid of any capacity restrictions."

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), welcomed the news.

She said: "Given pubs are financially unviable under the current restrictions they face, being able to reopen without any restrictions at all from June 21 is going to be vital to their survival."

Downing Street has said it is still 'too early' to determine whether the Indian variant could delay lifting all coronavirus restrictions 21 June, and that a final decision would not be made until 14 June.

Trade body UKHospitality has said it is vital that further financial support for businesses is forthcoming if there is a delay to the planned lifting of all Coronavirus restrictions.