Pubs could stay closed for five more months as Government considers tighter lockdown

The current ‘stay at home’ ruling will last until mid-February but the Government has suggested that it will be extended and with restrictions being lifted gradually than overnight in order to prevent a spike in coronavirus cases.

Now Number 10 is said to be looking at March 23 - the year anniversary of the start of the first lockdown - as a more realistic date to end the latest lockdown, according to The Daily Mail.

It is understood that pubs will be one of the last businesses to reopen, with ministers looking at the bank holiday on May 3 as a possible date.

A source told The Sunday Times: “The May Day bank holiday is more likely the moment you see pubs reopening.”

Experts believe people are less likely to social distance once they've had a drink.