‘If you're not the right temperature, you're not coming in’ - this is what it's like to go out round the pubs in July 2020

From queuing outside, to sanitising your hands and even having your temperature checked – these are just some of the things you can expect to happen when you head to the pub at any point in the foreseeable future.

Pubs across England reopened for the first time on Saturday, July 4, following the coronavirus lockdown which brought the hospitality industry to a halt.

Many pubs in Sunderland City Centre have introduced new measures to ensure that the risk of spreading Covid-19 is as low as possible.

Andrew Cassidy, 31, is the manager of the William Jameson Wetherspoons on Fawcett Street in Sunderland, he believes that people will get used to the new measures.

He said: “It’s been great so far, everyone has been cooperating with the new rules.

“It’s just going to be a learning curve but we want to ensure that everyone is as safe and protected as possible.”

John Ball, 59 from Southwick was one of those customers enjoying his first pint since lockdown in William Jameson, however he wishes he was closer to home.

He said: “It’s been brilliant, nice and easy to get your pint. It’s great to have some normality back, just wish my local, in Southwick, was open.”

Temperature checks are one of the measures that have been implemented by Hidden in Park Lane.

Cameron Murphy, one of the doorstaff at the bar has explained how the system works.

He said: “If someone’s temperature reads 37.5°C then we would test again. If you’re around 33.5°C, that would be generally considered to be a low temperature.

“Basically, if you're not the right temperature, you're not coming in.”

Despite the weather, those who were out seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a level of respect between staff working and customers across all venues in the city centre.

It appears that members of the public are happy to welcome the “new normal” if it means that they can enjoy their favourite tipple once again.

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