Takeaway pints BANNED in third national lockdown – but you can still get your drink delivered

TAKEAWAY pints have been banned in the third national lockdown announced tonight.

Boris Johnson revealed the strict new measures - with thirsty Brits dealt a blow under the restrictions.

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Under the new government guidelines, hospitality venues like pubs and bars have been forced to stay closed.

However, food and non-alcoholic drinks are still able to be sold as takeaway items or through click-and-collect and drive-through until 11pm.

The new guidance says that all food and drink - including alcohol - is allowed to be delivered.

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

The PM announced the third nationwide lockdown came into effect immediately, and once again put Brits under effective house arrest - resurrecting the 'Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives slogan'.

But it's another devastating blow for the hospitality industry as thousands of pubs will face collapse.

A £1.6billion “rent backlog” has built up in the sector after a ban on evictions was introduced in the early days of the pandemic, and then extended.

It came as:

• Boris Johnson tonight begged Brits to stay at home as he unveiled the third national lockdown
• All primary and secondary schools are set to stay shut for at least a month under the new guidelines
• The UK Covid alert has moved to the highest level for the first time ever with fears the NHS will be overwhelmed
• MP Margaret Ferrier has been charged after travelling from London to Scotland
• The UK has recorded its highest ever daily case today with infections passing the 50,000 mark for the seventh day in a row

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "A third lockdown is yet another blow to our sector. Particularly after it has faced an abysmally quiet Christmas and New Year's, which saw many pubs remain closed over what is meant to be their busiest time of the year.

"The announcement today adds to the woes of pubs as it shows they are a long way from reopening properly. The road to recovery for the pub sector just got longer.

"Given the circumstances, a wave of business failures is imminent unless a greater package of financial support from the Government is given to secure pubs and the brewers that supply them.

"That means grants in line with those in the first lockdown and support beyond April when the business rates holiday, lower VAT rates and furlough scheme all end."

Many independent pubs and restaurants have not paid rent for nine months nor reached a deal with their landlord and will be around £50,000 in arrears by Christmas.

Under the new guidelines, schools will be shut immediately with Brits told to stay at home as much as possible.

The PM said he was left with no option but to impose the fresh curbs after being confronted with terrifying new data on how the new strain of Covid is rampaging through the country. 

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told him the mutant virus is now in every part of the UK. 

Tonight the Covid-19 alert level was raised to five - the first time it has hit the highest rating. 

Now, police will have legal powers to enforce the rules but fines will not be increased despite a drop in compliance. 

Free school meals will continue to receive them as schools stay shut, and more laptops will be dished out to kids across the nation who need them.

And holidays will effectively be cancelled as people have to legally remain at home.

England’s hospitals are now a massive 40 per cent above that figure, with the usual winter strain on the NHS helping to fill up wards. 

Another startling statistic that triggered the Government to act was the UK recording more than 80,000 positive cases in a single day last week - on December 29. 

Average case rates in England are now at 518 per 100,000 - three times the level at the start of December and cases as well as hospital admissions are surging in all regions of the country.