, Columnist
Covid or Not, Brits Are Eager for Summer Fun
It would be a blow for pubs and restaurants if the U.K. had to delay lifting its final social-distancing measures. But it would be better than the alternative.
Worth the wait
Photographer: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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As Britain basked in a mini-heatwave over the long weekend, you could have almost forgotten there were any remaining Covid-19 restrictions on pubs and restaurants. Beer gardens were full, and unmasked crowds gathered in bars in popular beach resorts.
But social distancing, mandatory table service and a ban on groups larger than six are still in place in England until June 21, limiting the amount of people venues can squeeze in and crimping their profits.