Just how bleeding desperate are they for a Billy bookcase?
Huge IKEA queues as lockdown eased
DOZENS of people queued up to get into IKEA as the coronavirus lockdown was eased after 10 long weeks.
There were emotional reunions across the country yesterday as millions of us met loved ones we had not seen in months at garden parties and barbecues.
But many others decided to visit one of the 19 branches the home furnishings giant reopened, with some shoppers arriving at 5.30am and queueing for up to three hours just to get in.
Many primary schools reopened too, with delighted pupils donning face masks and having temperatures checked to return to class, giving relieved parents a break from home teaching.
More businesses are back up and running, as outdoor markets sprung back to life and car showrooms dusted off motors for sale.
Horse racing returned but without crowds and a charity cricket match took place in Guernsey as some restrictions on competitive sport were lifted.
Almost half of hospital trusts in England reported no coronavirus related deaths over a 48-hour period, NHS England figures revealed yesterday.
But it comes amid warnings the lockdown is being lifted too quickly, too soon.
The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) warned that experts were “increasingly concerned” that ministers are making the wrong judgment by easing restrictions and allowing people to mix. Their alert came as
it was expected that around half of pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes – around one million – were kept at home by worried parents or because schools refused to open their doors.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma defended easing measures and said: “This is not a dash. These are very cautious steps that we are taking. They are phased.”
People are now allowed to meet up with up to six people from separate households outdoors.
Police will ask people to leave if groups of more than six people are caught socialising, according to guidance issued to forces. Laws which came into force yesterday ban people from staying overnight anywhere other than the place where they are living.
Two or more people from different households being indoors together is also forbidden.
Police will use fines and arrests “where appropriate” as a last resort – but they can only “direct” someone to go home and have “no powers” to remove someone.
A further 111 deaths were confirmed across the UK yesterday, the lowest since lockdown began, taking the total to 39,045.