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Greetings. You’re joining us live from our sofas in what feels like the 86th national lockdown with the news that takeaway and click-and-collect alcohol will be no longer permitted. The tough new rules come into force just after midnight on Wednesday, January 6.
This means the government’s much heralded (and much amended) Covid-19 Winter Plan is out, with the new laws and guidelines also replacing the regional tier system that was introduced in the autumn and updated twice in December. There’s no clear end in sight for the new lockdown - for the general public or for the hospitality industry - which the government have helpfully subtitled ‘Stay At Home’.
If, like us, you’re confused (again), don’t worry. We’ve pored over the guidance, to tell you exactly what you need to know about the new rules, as they relate to restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafés.
All restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafés are to remain closed to dine-in service, both indoors and outdoors.
Food and drink for takeaway, click-and-collect, and drive-through can be served until 11pm.
Takeaway or click-and-collect alcohol is no longer permitted.
Food delivery may continue - potentially beyond 11pm, depending on your understanding of Cabinet Office sentence construction.
Delivery of drinks (including alcoholic ones) may also continue.
While you are still allowed to meet members of your support bubble (indoors or outdoors) or one other person (outdoors only) for exercise, the guidance explicitly states that these meetings should not be for ‘recreation or leisure’, citing picnics as an example.
We’ll bring you more updates as we get them. In the meantime, if you have any questions, email us at london@theinfatuation.com.
Sources
Guidance - National Lockdown: Stay at Home - Cabinet Office, 4 January 2021
Suggested Reading
Lockdown, the sequel, will change how you eat out and eat in. Here are the details of what’s changing, from November 5th.
As London moves from medium covid alert level to high, here’s what we know about the new restrictions and how they’ll affect eating and drinking.
Following the announcement that London is moving into Tier 3 on December 16th, here’s what we know about how it will impact London’s restaurants.
When National Restrictions end there will be no household mixing indoors, and alcoholic drinks will not be served without a 'substantial meal'.