Recap updates as lockdown was eased again in Portsmouth

Lockdown restrictions have been eased across the Portsmouth area today.
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Pubs and restaurants have opened up for indoor customers.

Theatres, cinema and other indoor entertainment also reopened for the first time in 2021.

International travel is also being allowed, with countries on the green list including Portugal.

Staff Shagl Osman and manager Khaled Sleman excited to serve indoors in cafe Nut, North End, Portsmouth. Picture: Habibur RahmanStaff Shagl Osman and manager Khaled Sleman excited to serve indoors in cafe Nut, North End, Portsmouth. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Staff Shagl Osman and manager Khaled Sleman excited to serve indoors in cafe Nut, North End, Portsmouth. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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The government has also said that you can once again hug your friends and family.

We will have reporters out around the Portsmouth area, at pubs, restaurants, the Dockyard and Southsea Common.

You can recap all the updates in our live blog below.

There will be video, pictures and reaction from throughout the day.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, for 27p a day.

Recap updates as lockdown eased again across the Portsmouth area

Key Events

  • Indoor hospitality - such as pubs and restaurants is reopening
  • Entertainment venues such as theatres and cinemas are also opening

Welcome to our live blog

We will be bringing you all the latest updates throughout the day.

What are the rules that have changed

Today is the latest stage in the easing of lockdown measures.

It follows the reopening of non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality in April.

So what can you do again from today?

Wetherspoons confirms opening times for pubs

Isambard Kingdom Brunel public house in Guiildhall Walk. Picture Ian Hargreaves  (171243-1)Isambard Kingdom Brunel public house in Guiildhall Walk. Picture Ian Hargreaves  (171243-1)
Isambard Kingdom Brunel public house in Guiildhall Walk. Picture Ian Hargreaves (171243-1)

Are you planning a trip to the pub today?

Here are the opening times for the Wetherspoons pubs reopening in Portsmouth.

Including the Isambard Kingdom Brunel in Guildhall Walk, John Jacques in Fratton and more.

Cafe excited to be serving customers indoor again

Shagull Osman, Khaled Sleman at Cafe Nut in North End - they are excited to be back and serving customers indoor.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is officially open again

24 pubs that are reopening in Portsmouth from May 17

From l to r - Katie and Liam Perkins, and Alice Hosker, drinking in the Monarch in 2020. Picture: Chris MoorhouseFrom l to r - Katie and Liam Perkins, and Alice Hosker, drinking in the Monarch in 2020. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
From l to r - Katie and Liam Perkins, and Alice Hosker, drinking in the Monarch in 2020. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Are you thinking about venturing out for a pint at some point today?

Here are some of the pubs you can visit!

Family excited to be able to eat indoors

Janine Findlay and Wendy Findlay

Janine said: ‘So happy that she could sit indoors wth her mother as last week was just too cold to sit outside.’

Hugs on Southsea Common

 Zena and Charlie Crabtree Zena and Charlie Crabtree
Zena and Charlie Crabtree

Mum and daughter Zena and Charlie Crabtree were happy to hug each other but were opting for caution with others.

‘I’m not going to start hugging people I’m not close to,; Zena, 66, of Bedhampton said.

‘I’m happy to give my mum a hug but not people I’m not close to and I won’t be hugging family when we have a gathering soon.’

Charlie,32, of Southsea added: ‘I don’t know how careful other people have been so I won’t be hugging lots of people.

‘I’m not sure about hugging and am not a bigger hugger anyway. I think the social norms and boundaries will change now.’

Indoor dining has reopened in Gunwharf Quays

Some residents remain cautious about hugging

Jacklin Ciccarone (l) and Pauline Porter (r) with their dogs Isabella and Buddy.

The Southsea neighbours said they were not keen to start hugging people.

Jacklin, 60, explained: ‘I won’t be hugging people I don’t see all the time. You get some people who come up and give you a hug so at least now you don’t have to give people a hug you don’t want to.’

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