The news that we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. By next week, you will be able to go out for a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail again, although only until 11pm.

Under pressure from owners and workers, health officials announced on Feb 22 that bars and restaurants can again sell alcohol with an early “last call” time of an hour before midnight, two months after all on-site sales were banned amid a new wave of Covid-19 infections.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the ban would be lifted–government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said late Monday afternoon that it could be as soon as tomorrow.

The announcement came down in the first days of the year following a surge in cases. While lax policing has seen many venues serving on the down-low to survive, larger venues or those in conspicuous places had to keep the cabinets locked.

The rate of new Covid-19 cases has been declining for the past two weeks with fewer than 100 logged daily since Valentine’s Day. Today, health officials announced 89 new cases, none of which were found in Bangkok. The official death toll stands at 83.

With the lifting of the ban at the end of February, bars and restaurants will have been unable to serve alcohol inside their venues four months out of the past 11.

This is a developing story that first appeared on Coconuts Bangkok. It may be updated without notice.