Britain's pubs could remain on lockdown until at least Christmas thanks to the coronavirus pandemic in a "massive blow" to the trade.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said boozers would be among the final businesses to be given the green light to re-open once the outbreak is under control.
Speaking on Sunday, he refused to rule out the possibility that this could mean pubs are shut up until the winter. Experts, meanwhile, have given Brits a glimmer of hope, estimating the country could have already endured the peak of the disease's "first wave" after the latest death toll dropped by almost a third to 596.
However, major protective equipment shortages for NHS staff has got worse after a shipment from Turkey was held up. Pub trade