FOOTIE fans, film buffs and theatre goers will be able to enjoy a pint or a glass of wine without ordering a “substantial meal” in a Tier 2 loophole.
Booze will be served in the Covid secure venues to punters, provided they have a ticket for the event, and drink it at their seat.
The newly published Tiers laws say the substantial meal clause “does not apply where alcohol is being provided to a customer at a cinema, theatre, concert hall or sportsground.”
It adds that booze needs to be “ordered by, and served to, a customer who has a ticket for an exhibition of a film, a performance or an event of training or competition at the venue, to consume in the area where the audience is seated to watch the exhibition, performance or event.”
Under the new rules, 4,000 fans are allowed to watch sport in outdoor venues in Tier 1, while 2,000 fans are allowed in Tier 2 areas, or up to 50 per cent capacity – whichever is lower.
And theatres and cinemas can seat up to 1000 people indoors or again up to half the venues seating limit.
Venues in Tier 3 will have to remain closed.
But fans of Premier League and EFL football clubs won’t be able to enjoy a pint as booze is still banned at grounds under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol, etc) Act 1985.
Earlier this year ministers were considering lifting the 35 years booze ban to help clubs recover from the covid pandemic.
The Premier League is said to be pulling together medical experts, Government figures and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to discuss its options.
The ban was first implemented to combat hooliganism in grounds, which was a bigger problem in English football in the Eighties – now it is far less prevalent inside stadiums.
But traditional early morning pre-flight pints for those dashing off on a Christmas break abroad have been banned.
Airports were previously handed an exemption in the old tier system – but that has been changed.
It means alcohol can no longer be served in terminals between 11pm and 5am.
The pub loophole comes after Wales announced earlier today that pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales must now CLOSE daily at 6pm – and booze will be banned.
First Minister Mark Drakeford warned that the facts are “stark” as he announced tough new curbs just weeks after the firebreak lockdown ended.
From 6pm on Friday draconian new national measures will come into force in Wales, slapping tough curfews and booze bans on the hospitality sector.
Pubs and restaurants will still be allowed to do takeaway after 6pm – but it will be a heavy blow for hospitality hoping to get a boost over the Christmas period.
Other entertainment venues will need to close, including cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, soft play, casinos and skating rinks.
There is already a 10pm curfew on buying alcohol in supermarkets or off-licences.
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