THESE are the rules you need to follow in beer gardens and outdoor restaurants across the border.

Hundreds of pubs and eateries reopened their outdoor areas for food and drink from Monday.

Although their counterparts here in Wales will have to wait until April 26, those in the business are expecting people to travel from border communities in North Wales to have a drink and a bite to eat.

Brian Vardy, chairman of Chester and South Clwyd Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said it is inevitable that people will cross the border.

He said: "It's going to lead to problems. People who live near the border will be tempted to get across so they can have a drink.

In England, as part of the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions, which are being done in four stages, hospitality venues reopened on the same day as non-essential retail.

Although non-essential retail in Wales has been allowed to reopen - the hospitality industry must wait.

Mr Vardy added: "I'm sure they will be disappointed. They have been looking forward to Easter because it is a peak time for them. It was a chance to make up for lost time.

"We must remember that a lot of pubs have spent money on protective equipment, putting up screens and all sorts of other things. So you are kind of adding insult to injury. You tell them in 2020 that they can only open if they do all these things and, not long after, they are told 'none of that money you've spent makes any difference and you can't open'."

From April 12, people in Wales have been able to travel into England and vice versa.

Although, people can travel to England they have been urged to think carefully before doing so.

Setting out the relaxation of lockdown measures at the beginning of the month, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “My message to people thinking about travelling across the border in that couple of weeks before things are opening in Wales is to think very carefully about it.

“You really will not have long to wait before you’re able to enjoy exactly the same sorts of things in Wales where the current state of the virus is more benign.

“Rates of coronavirus in Wales are the lowest in the United Kingdom. They are higher in England and the highest in the north-west of England."

Looking at the guidance, we've put together a short list of the main things people thinking of visiting a beer garden this weekend need to know:

  • You'll need to be sat at a table

Like before, outdoor food and drink venues will require all customers to be seated at a table when consuming their order.

The guidance says that customers should be offered the opportunity to pay for their food and drink at the table, or at another outdoor location.

But it also says that businesses can take payment indoors, but as a last resort or if absolutely necessary.

  • Toilets inside premises can reopen

At outdoor venues, toilets inside buildings will be allowed to reopen to customers, although limited to just a handful of people at any time.

You'll also need to wear a face covering when entering beer gardens via indoor premises, paying indoors, and accessing toilets that are indoors.

  • You no longer need to buy a meal

Gone are the days where you will need to order a 'substantial meal' with alcoholic drinks as those rules will no longer apply.

Previously pubs were limited to serving customers alcoholic drink when they placed an order for a meal.

  • Carveries can reopen

It's good news for carvery fans as they are allowed to reopen their counters indoors.

The guidance says that venues that don't serve alcohol can allow customers to order and collect food and drink from a counter - but it must then be consumed while seated at an outdoor table.

  • The 10pm curfew has been scrapped

Guidance says that for outdoor food and drink venues, there will not be a curfew imposed on when they must open and close.

Previously pubs and restaurants had to close their doors, inside and out, by 10pm across England due to Covid restrictions.

  • Social distancing and mixing rules will still apply

Although this sounds obvious, social distancing and rules on household mixing will continue to apply from April 12.

It means up to six individuals from different households, or up to two households, will be allowed to meet outdoors at food and drink venues.

The rules continue to ban mixing of different households indoors as this is due to be reviewed and changed on May 17.

  • Do you really need to?

The Welsh Government guidance says: "We are asking everyone to think carefully about the journeys they take and the people they meet. We should all think carefully about where we go and who we meet because the more places we go and the more people we meet, the greater the chances there are of catching coronavirus. In particular, it is also sensible to avoid travelling to and from areas with a higher incidence rate if you can."