Mcb777 LoginBrits gather outside pubs as end of coronavirus lockdown finally in sight with two-metre rule set to be axed | The Sun - Machibet777 Affiliate

BRITS have already started to gather outside pubs as the end of the severe lockdown restrictions are in sight.

Eager queues of people lined up outside bars to get takeaway pints, as the Government is said to be preparing to axe the two-metre rule.

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People spotted queuing up to get takeaway pints in Battersea, South London, todayCredit: Twitter

Another London pub saw loyal customers lining up to get a pint to goCredit: gavin rodgers/Pixel8000

Two pals meet up for a pint outside a London pubCredit: w8media

Thirsty folk queuing up to get their takeaway pintsCredit: w8media

Some pubs have reopened already offering drinks to goCredit: w8media

Pals met up - still distancing - to enjoy a few cold onesCredit: w8media

Some people were seen with masks on as they stood outside London pubsCredit: w8media

A Putney bar has reopened already serving takeaway pints for punters

Government scientists have given the OK to cutting the two-metre rule - meaning many more pubs could soon open - but for the moment punters still need to queue sensibly and take their pints to go.

Britain has endured 13 weeks of restrictions and social distancing to stem the spread of coronavirus.

And now, as rules are gradually relaxed, there is more light at the end of the tunnel.

Within the next fortnight announcements are expected to allow hotels and restaurants to reopen next month.

Brits desperately missing catching up with pals at the pub could soon be back at the bar or ordering through an app to keep safe.

It comes as:

Matt Hancock revealed the UK's death rate is back to normal for the first time since lockdown began
New ONS stats show the epidemic is shrinking with 33k people currently infected
Schools in Northern Ireland to cut 2m rule down to 1m so all kids can go return
One in three NHS trusts reported no coronavirus deaths for a week

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Schools are set to be given new guidance which would allow children to return to the classroom in numbers of up to 30 from September.

And families who have been diligently keeping apart since the lockdown was announced could soon have overnight stays with their loved ones.

At the moment, overnight stays are not allowed, and even being inside another household which you are not bubbled up with is not permitted.

And as the summer holiday months approach, ministers are also said to be fine tuning negotiations to set up "air bridges" with up ten countries, to allow Brits to go abroad without facing severe quarantine restrictions.

Airports are gradually opening up again, signalling the return of non essential travel - with London City Airport reopening on Sunday after being closed to commercial flights for nearly three months.

More than two million vulnerable people were ordered to shield and stay inside to protect them from the killer bug, but they will soon be allowed to go shopping and enjoy leisure activities.

Britain's high streets were opened back up last week and people were seen eagerly flooding to the shops - as the PM works to get the economy back up and running once more.

Scientists have said they are "totally comfortable with" the two-metre social distancing rule being reduced - but only if people sit side by side and wear face coverings as much as possible.

The UK's coronavirus death toll hit 42,461 yesterday - with a 12-year-old child among the victims.