London’s Restaurants Will Reopen Under Tier 2 Restrictions On December 2nd

Following this week’s announcement about the end of national restrictions, the government has confirmed that London will be in Tier 2 from Wednesday, December 2nd. This means that restaurants and some pubs may reopen with certain rules in place.

Restrictions include:

• No indoor mixing of households or support bubbles.

• The ‘rule of 6’ applies in outdoor public spaces and gardens.

• Pubs and bars that are not operating as restaurants may not reopen.

• Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol alongside 'substantial meals'.

• Venues selling alcohol must provide table service.

• Last orders are at 10pm and venues must be closed by 11pm.

The official guidance on the local restriction tiers adds that venues selling takeaway food and drink may continue to do so after 10pm, so long as it’s through click-and-collect, delivery, or drive-through.

Assuming these updates to the tier system pass through parliament next week, tiers will be updated weekly throughout the winter. Think of it like The Hunger Games but with Matt Hancock acting as our very own President Snow. If that wasn’t exciting enough, prepare yourself for lots of hot debate around what constitutes a ‘substantial meal’. We’re anticipating some kind of Number 10 briefing with a Royal Sandwich Expert dictating whether you can, in fact, have an alcoholic beverage with a crumpet. Stay tuned.

Sources

Full list of local restriction tiers by area - Department for Health and Social Care, 26 November, 2020

Local restriction tiers: what you need to know - Department of Health and Social Care, 23 November, 2020

Covid-19 Winter Plan - Cabinet Office, 23 November, 2020

Covid-19 Update Statement - UK Parliament, 26 November, 2020