The chairman of Furness’ Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) branch has said health must come first despite the devastating impact of restrictions on pubs.

His comments came after researchers warned that bars and restaurants should remain closed until May.

Experts modelling the pandemic suggested that there would be a huge surge in cases of Covid-19 if restrictions were lifted too early.

Experts have warned that early March – when the 15 million priority patients will have received protection from their first jab – would be too soon to lift curbs on freedoms. And by the end of April, when all over-50s are expected to have been vaccinated, they said it would still be too dangerous for a wholesale easing of restrictions.

Furness CAMRA chairman Dave Stubbins said: “It is very sad news but the priority has to be the national health, there’s no question about that.

"Health is paramount and whatever needs to be done to do that is fine.

“But it is having a devastating effect on the tourism industry and the pub industry in particular.

"All that we can hope is that they get sufficient compensation so that at the end of it they are still open – that is the main thing.

“It is very difficult, the evidence is that apparently if pubs are open, people congregate and spread it (Covid-19), and health is the most important thing.

"It is devastating and I just hope enough compensation is provided so that when we do get out of this, and I hope that we do soon, that life can return to normal and the pubs will still be there.”

The prime minister has shown his own reservations, and in a Downing Street conference he confirmed that he would be easing restrictions cautiously. He said: “I also think that the British public and British business would much rather we opened safely and cautiously when it was right to do so rather than opening up again and then being forced to close back down simply because the virus takes off again. I think that is a far more sensible approach.”