British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given a boost to the accommodation and food and beverage sectors of the industry by confirming that overnight stays at hotels, hostels and B&Bs will be permitted from May 17. Indoor service at pubs, bars and restaurants are also reopening – with some restrictions.

Groups cannot exceed six persons or two households, and there is no standing at the bar.

School trips with overnight stays can now also go ahead.

“This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and I am confident that we will be able to go further,” said Johnson.

“There is a huge sense of relief within the sector, in particular for the six in 10 venues that were not able to reopen over recent weeks due to a lack of outdoor space,” said UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls

“However, with significant restrictions still in place, this is a psychological opening rather than an economic one, with the profitability of the sector still a huge issue. This is why sticking to the roadmap and the removal of all restrictions by 21 June is absolutely crucial.”

“Hospitality, as it emerges from restrictions, is still in a fragile state and continued government support will be critical.”

Movie theatres, museums, concert halls, conference centres and sports stadiums can reopen with certain capacity limits.

The Prime Minister said the government is “on track” to announce further easing of the lockdown to take effect from 21 June.