Summer 2021: Will holidays, festivals, and social gatherings go ahead?

We’re hoping summer 2021 is one to remember (Picture: Getty)

Summer 2021 is fast approaching – and every single person is hoping it will be better than last year.

Brits want to go abroad, stay at the pub past 10pm, see a new film at the cinema, and go to footbal matches with friends.

Metro.co.uk has spoken to some experts to find out the latest on what we can expect this summer to look like.

Here’s all you need to know.

Will I be able to see my family and friends?

Many people haven’t hugged their friends or family for nearly a year now with social distancing guidelines one of the first measures introduced before the first lockdown.

With over 10 million people already receiving their first vaccine, there is hope the mass vaccination programme will continue to gather pace and it’s clear this is our best way out of the pandemic.

It could still be a while until social distancing measures are relaxed (Picture: Getty)

Sadly the social distancing measures are likely to continue for some time across the whole of the UK with experts warning social distancing could be in place ‘until the end of the year’.

But once research has been undertaken to fully establish whether those vaccinated can still carry and infect others with the virus there could be hope for summer reunions.

Between previous lockdowns we have been able to gather in groups of six with other households outside and further studies in transmissions could pave the way for friends and family to finally reunite inside.

Will I be able to travel abroad?

Short-haul flights are more realistic than long-haul journeys this summer (Picture: Getty)

Venturing overseas still seems a long way off at present with a nationwide ban on international travel at present.

Scotland is set to introduce ‘managed quarantine’ for travellers, whilst England is believed to implement quarantine hotels for all arrivals – similar to the Covid hotels in Australia.

The likes of Spain are hoping they can welcome tourists from spring onwards – despite their Prime Minister previously warning Brits would be banned until the end of summer.

Ian Robinson, CEO of Air4casts, says there is already a rise in bookings for short haul destinations.

‘Nobody knows when the UK government will lift travel restrictions; it all depends on speed of vaccination roll-out and incidence of new Covid variants but low-cost carriers are setting their capacities for a substantial increase in overseas travel from the month of April,’ he told Metro.co.uk.

‘Tour operators are reporting brisk business over the summer period and a more recent spike in October bookings, their assumption being older consumers taking a cautious line.

‘Summer destinations will for the most part be short haul but Asia/Pacific is likely to remain closed.’

Will pubs and clubs reopen?

Nightclubs could be one of the last places to reopen (Picture: Getty)

It’s business as usual for pubs in the Isle of Man – but for the rest of the UK, the nightlife scene has come to a grinding halt.

Those in England previously experienced pubs being open with strict 10pm curfews before they moved to serving takeaway pints.

Previous reports have suggested pubs could ‘reopen in May’ which will give hope to sports fans being able to watch the Euros at their favourite venues.

Nightclubs will likely be a way off reopening though until social distancing measures are relaxed given the nature of crowds mixing in tight places.

Scotland has a five-level system of local coronavirus alerts, but the entire mainland is currently in the top tier of restrictions – level four.

That means all pubs, restaurants and cafes must remain closed in level four areas, although they can still offer takeaways.

In Wales, pubs can currently sell alcoholic drinks to take away but only if they already have a licence to do so.

Businesses in Northern Ireland are under the same restrictions regarding providing takeaway services but must close at 11pm and off-sales must stop at 8pm.

Will cinemas and theatres be back to normal?

Cinemas will hope to open as soon as they get the green light from the government (Picture: Getty)

Cinemas and theatres across the UK have been badly hit since the pandemic began but with vaccines being rolled out there will be hope they can reopen initially not at full capacity.

The latest James Bond film was recently rumoured to have been postponed for a third time and is now targeting a release date of autumn 2021.

Thomas Humphrey of Bertha DocHouse reckons smaller chain cinemas will reopen before some of the bigger chains. 

‘When it comes to cinemas reopening, you’ll see several businesses taking quite different approaches,’ he told Metro.co.uk.

‘Let’s say the government were to announce it was lifting the lockdown in mid to late March, many will have developed processes to allow them to reopen from the very first day that government guidelines say that is allowed.

‘A chain like Curzon Cinemas (where Bertha DocHouse, our independent cinema dedicated to documentaries is based in Bloomsbury) are likely to be able to be some of the first open.

‘They could put a film they represent into their screens, and probably open with very little lead-in time (maybe as little as two weeks), and they’d probably open as soon as allowed.’

Cinemas can only open in Tiers 0-2 in Scotland meaning coronavirus transmission rates must drop drastically before they can reopen.

Will music festivals and gigs go ahead?

Glastonbury will not be taking place for a second consecutive year (Picture: Getty)

Glastonbury 2021 has already been cancelled and other major festivals are likely to follow the same protocol this summer.

Much like night clubs, gigs, unless socially distanced are difficult to justify going ahead with the virus still in circulation.

However, in some hope many comedians and artists have their tour dates either resuming or starting towards the end of summer, so there is still a possibility they won’t be performing to virtual audiences any more.

‘Sadly I think it is unrealistic to think that festivals (especially the bigger ones) will return this summer. Even with the current rate of vaccinations, the earliest that everyone will have had their jab is August,’ Joe Wadsworth from Online Recording Studio told Metro.co.uk.

‘That is the tail end of the festival season and would leave no time to organise a major event.

‘Next year will be the one where we can get back to it. A muddy field, a cheap tent, and a can of red stripe ; the great British summer.’

Will major sporting events be scrapped?

Wembley is set to stage the final of Euro 2020 this year (Picture: Getty)

Wimbledon 2021 is one of the first major sporting events in England that kicks off the summer calendar.

Last year’s tennis showpiece was cancelled for the first time since World War II but organisers are confident they won’t have to do the same this time around.

With tennis still going ahead around the world, albeit some behind closed doors, the main question will hopefully be whether fans can attend.

There’s also the small matter of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament due to take place with the semi-finals and final taking place at Wembley.

With Euro 2020 being held in multiple European locations, the ongoing threat of Covid-19 and the requirement of multiple travel routes between countries for players, staff, fans and media will be of major concern however regarding the infection rate of the virus.

The phased return of fans to major sporting events will also apply to the fixtures in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Will schools reopen during the summer holidays?

The school year has been severely disrupted this year (Picture: Getty)

The earliest schools will return in England is currently set at March 8.

Schools are set to reopen from February 22 in Wales, and some Scottish pupils will be able to go back to the classroom after half-term.

Northern Ireland schools won’t be opening until March 5 at the earliest.

Boris Johnson has previously stressed schools will be one of the first establishments to reopen once lockdown is lifted so children can expect to return to school by the summer.

However, with kids being off school and home learning for the majority of the year there are suggestions teachers could be asked to work through the summer to help kids who have fallen behind with their studies.

Will people return to the office this summer?

Many people are still working from home during the current lockdown (Picture: Getty)

With many people working from home for almost a year now, some may not even have an office to go back to with companies choosing to save on renting space.

But office workers in the cities could be back at work by the summer providing there are no lockdowns and the R rate is low.

Current measures on working in the office won’t be adjusted until the government change their current ‘stay at home’ message.

Remote working in Scotland and Northern Ireland is still the ‘default position’ while the Welsh government are working on pilot projects that could see 30% of Welsh workers working from home or close to home going forward.

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.