TODAY’S the day Swindon takes another big step towards some sort of normality as pubs and restaurants allow customers to eat and drink indoors.

Holidays abroad are now allowed to certain countries and – finally – we can hug our loved ones again as the spread of coronavirus around the UK has dropped to a less dangerous level.

Landlords and restaurant bosses have put plenty of precautions in place to keep guests safe while they enjoy a meal and a drink or two inside the premises.

Moonrakers manager Paula Vernon saw eager punters flock to the beer garden when it reopened and expects a similar surge now that she can make use of the full space inside Arkell’s biggest pub.

Paula said: “They were glad to be back and seeing people, though lot of our customers have not returned yet because they have been waiting for today.

“It’s been quite a laugh because doing table service means you get to chat more to customers while you serve them, and the customers are chatting with each other more as they’re at outside instead of stood by the bar.

“Table service will be harder indoors as there’s far more tables.You’re racking up a lot of steps on your Fitbits.

“We’re planning live music for the bank holiday and the Euros start after the rules relax again in June so that’ll keep us busy and on our toes.

“Once the new junction’s roadworks finish, people will pop in for a pint without worrying about getting stuck in the traffic.”

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We asked Adver readers who they wanted to hug first today and while some decided to be extra cautious and continue avoiding physical contact, others had plenty of suggestions.

Ellen McElvey said: “My mum, dad and sister because I have missed them all very very much.”

Kay Taylor said: “My special nieces and nephew.”

Nicola Cunningham said: “My best friend and my dad.”

Andrea Murphy said: “I hug my kids as they live with me but until I’ve had a jab I’m not hugging anyone else. After, then it’ll just be family who’ve been vaccinated.”

Jane Asty and Naomi Ellis looked forward to hugging their parents while Jackie Pontin hoped to hug her mum, children and grandchildren.

As for holidays, Robert Ward is off to Portugal for his honeymoon, Ryan McCoy looked forward to flying to Spain as soon as tests were not needed, and Rob Grey hopes to fly to Tenerife on September if it’s on the government’s green list.