People enjoy the evening at The Fox on the Hill pub after its reopening, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions ease, in London, Britain on April 12, 2021. [Photo/Agencies] With outdoor pubs and beer gardens in England having reopened on Monday, researchers fear pub operators could encounter challenges to preventing COVID-19 transmission on their premises, as intoxicated customers are less likely to observe social distancing rules. Niamh Fitzgerald, director of the University of Stirling's Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said "It is challenging to manage COVID-19 transmission risks in bars and pubs where alcohol is served. "This is due to the social atmosphere of any bars and to the additional factor of alcohol, as it impairs both people's willingness and ability to comply with measures in place."