Alcohol in tier 2, what's the logic?

[borntohula]

So, we can only drink alcohol with a substantial meal if we go to a pub/restaurant in tier 2 but if we have a soft/hot drink, we don't need the meal. What's the idea here?

The idea is that people can’t go out and get pissed as they won’t social distance if they do. So a drink with a meal, or as many soft drinks as you like

Because they don't want people to go out on a big drinking session and get so drunk they become difficult and won't social distance or wear masks etc. They need to keep to calm and civil.

They are trying to prevent pub crawls. 5 pints with a meal spreads less potential Covid than 1 pint in 5 pubs and a takeaway on the way home.

I saw something on TV or online when EOTHO was on suggesting that people had a 3 course meal in 3 different restaurants to maximize the discount. Not sure how many people did that though

It's to allow the hospitality trade some income, whilst deterring pub crawls and piss ups.

Are pubs allowed to open as “normal” in T1?

To stop people binge drinking and getting drunk. People don't follow the rules after a few pints (not that some follow the rules while sober).

This is all I can think about...

@TicTacTwo

They are trying to prevent pub crawls. 5 pints with a meal spreads less potential Covid than 1 pint in 5 pubs and a takeaway on the way home.

That actually makes sense but as for drinking less and therefore, following rules, more people will drink with their friends in their houses. 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think that’s necessarily the case op. Socialising in homes is not allowed and even if this does happen, it’s still better than a load of strangers mixing together in crowded pubs and bars all getting more drunk.

I think whilst there are loads of these comedy gifs etc like your op, where people take the piss out of the rules “covid can’t exist in schools” “covid can’t get you if you’re eating” is totally missing the point. Certain parts of society and economy are open because they need to be, but rules are in place to stop people from getting so comfortable / drunk, that they forget about common sense and social distancing. Whilst it doesn’t always make sense at first glance, it actually does.

I think it could encouraging drinking in houses but there's usually fewer people in a house gathering than in a pub.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-manchester-54205353

This single person going on a pub crawl and not quarantining after a holiday contributed to a spike in Bolton. Astonishing what one person can end up doing

I'm in NI, we haven't been able to dine with other people in cafes or restaurants. Nor can we buy alcohol after 8:00pm for weeks now.

Not to go all 4 Yorkshire Men on you OP, but you don't know you've been born with your "is this a *substantial meal" shenanigans. Oh for a substantial meal made by someone else.

@DioneTheDiabolist

I'm in NI, we haven't been able to dine with other people in cafes or restaurants. Nor can we buy alcohol after 8:00pm for weeks now.

Not to go all 4 Yorkshire Men on you OP, but you don't know you've been born with your "is this a *substantial meal" shenanigans. Oh for a substantial meal made by someone else.

Totally agree! I haven’t been able to socialise in homes, pubs or restaurants since July, (only being free to do so for about 4 weeks before that) and the news suggesting now that things may not change here until April is becoming hard to take