Michael Gove says the government is ‘exploring’ how to open pubs, restaurants and bars ‘in a safe way’

As lockdown measures start to ease it still seems unlikely the hospitality sector will be able to fully open its doors since closing them two months ago.

Talking on LBC about lifting lockdown restrictions, Michael Gove said: “It’s going to be more difficult with pubs restaurants and bars. What I hope we will see is people being able to have outdoor hospitality, so you can enjoy a drink in a garden of a pub or that you can eat outdoors in a café.”

And although we may be able to enjoy eating and drinking al fresco, social distancing will still need to be ‘maintained’ with the cabinet minister explaining: “We are exploring how we can do that in a safe way.”

He added: “I think it will be very difficult for any of us standing at the bar or any of us mingling in a café, indoors, in a way that we have in the past.”

Last week speaking on Good Morning Britain, Hospitality Union Founder Jonathan Downey argued that a safe, phased reopening of pubs should begin immediately.

He said: "As a country, as a nation, we've done a great job so far, we've been a nation compliant with, we've with very few exceptions followed the rules, followed the guidelines, we've done what's been expected of us."

He said that the union was advocating for that to happen sooner than July 4th - when the government has indicated that some pubs would reopen.

It has been said that ahead of businesses reopening, they will have to carry out and pass a risk assessment to identify any activities which may help transmit the virus and limit the spread.

As well as informing all employees about the assessment's findings, companies with more than 50 employees will be expected to publish the results on their website.