A LANDLORD says his pub is simply just "existing" at the moment, as plans to reopen pubs and restaurants are announced by Boris Johnson.

Ian Wilson and his partner Philip Rees from the Queen Victoria pub in Rottingdean are "sceptical" about the reopening date proposed by the Prime Minister.

People will be allowed to buy takeaway alcohol from April 12 at the earliest, while pub coulds reopen from 17 May - if the data allows it.

From June 21 at the earliest, all remaining restrictions on social contact could be lifted, larger events can go ahead and nightclubs could finally reopen.

The pair, who have seen a drop in takeaway sales, are looking forward to a time when they can reopen their doors for good.

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Mr Wilson said: "What we have to avoid is the situation where we reopen and close again a short time later.

"It is really tough on small pubs like us. We have to get perishable goods in that then go to waste.

"What we absolutely need is a situation where we open sensibly, where our customers are confident it is safe and we can progress from there.

"Rather than this stop and start have been having.

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"We are existing, grant money is enough and what we are doing with takeaways is enough to exist - but existing isn't an awful lot of fun.

"We would rather carry on existing and being able to prosper in the future rather than going down the pan when we have been forced to open when it isn't safe."

Alongside the four-step plan, the Prime Minister launched a series of reviews – including on whether people should be able to show if they have had a Covid-19 vaccine or a negative test.

The work will look at whether “Covid status certification” could help reopen the economy by allowing people who have received a jab or a negative test result to do things which would not be allowed for those who could not prove their status.

Officials recognise that there are moral and ethical questions as well as practical ones for any such move, which has been highly controversial in Westminster.

A research programme will use pilot schemes involving testing and other measures to run events with larger crowd sizes.

International travel rules will also be reviewed, with May 17 targeted as the earliest possible date for a foreign holiday.

A further piece of work to conclude by June 21 will examine social distancing requirements – including hugs with friends and relatives – the use of face masks and requirements to work from home.

The measures are expected to be put to a Commons vote before the House rises for Easter in late March.