WELL the publicans have got what they wanted during this gradually releasing of lockdown, they can open up to the general public from Saturday.

The publicans are sorting out within their premises the social distancing measures.

From what we saw on national television recently on the beaches at Bournemouth and Tynemouth the total disregard of social distancing by the general public and the problems caused by drinking excessive alcohol, I fear very much for our key workers, all NHS staff, police, fire brigade and security.

I think the government has started off on the wrong day – it should have been Monday, July 6 as they did with shops, and also should have had gradual operating times such as only Sundays to Thursdays with closing times at 10.30pm.

The reason for this is at weekends we are going to have the same problems as we did before this pandemic got to our isles – drunks causing serious problems, sustaining injuries whilst fighting amongst themselves, getting them out of the pubs, transporting them to the hospitals, then when they get there the physical and verbal abuse by some of them, that is meted out to all staff.

Who at work wants this sort of behaviour? If these characters are taken to court, no more being slapped on the wrist. I’m sure a lot of the public will adhere to social distancing in the pubs.

David Johnson, Bishop Auckland