As Sham 69 put it:

We’re going down the pub. Or al least, some will be. I’m personally not so sure: I love pubs, but I’m personally not so sure this is the right thing to do on a number of counts.

Official Government Advice, 23 June 2020 (v3.0), saved June 25.

Firstly: we have to deal with the great British Common Sense our leader is so keen on.

Today’s events have shown that common sense isn’t actually that common, and the actual sane advice will almost certainly be ignored, not helped by the usual delivery from Johnson.

Secondly: Alcohol. Humans tend to make poor decisions and become less risk-aware after a few drinks. I don’t think that a highly infectious disease, the great British public and alcohol is a world-beating combination. July 4 will be like the most amplified Bank Holiday piss-up armageddon, with the added bonus of Covid-19 as well as a fight, as all the idots release 3 months of pent-up fuckwittery in one lager-fuelled night.

Thirdly: Track and trace.

The opening up of the economy following the COVID-19 outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and Trace. You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of your customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed.

No chance of misuse there.

Fourthly: Atmosphere. Given that

Indoor gatherings should only be occurring in groups of up to two households (including support bubbles) while outdoor gatherings should only be occurring in groups of up to two households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most six people from any number of households.

and that otherwise, we need to maintain social distance, what’s the point? If I only want to drink in that company, I can do it in my house or garden, at less risk and cost.

I’m very worried that, in response to the (very real) economic pressures, this government is fucking it all up again, making people think it’s all over, when that isn’t the case.

I know that the present situation cannot persist for ever. I recognise that we have to try to get back to normality and the hospitality sector has to get going- and of course, I’m desperate to get to the pub myself, Just not that desperate.