UK making most of new freedoms
SHOPPERS flocked to high streets and drinkers downed pints as coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as life took another step towards normality, with indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos also welcoming customers back.
People in Wales were also enjoying renewed freedoms from yesterday, with non-essential retail reopened and border restrictions eased to permit travel again with the rest of the UK and Ireland.
Remaining school pupils returned to face-to-face teaching in Wales and Northern Ireland, in moves being echoed in Scotland as some pupils return from their Easter breaks.
The “stay at home” order in Northern Ireland also ended as the number of people permitted to meet outdoors increased from six to 10.
Snow showers and cold breezes made al fresco socialising a chilly prospect in parts of southern England, but at the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate, believed to be the biggest pub in the country, thirsty customers
cheered as the first pints were served. The Oak Inn in Coventry opened its doors shortly after midnight, with marquees, heaters and blankets for customers in the large beer garden.
But council officials are investigating after videos posted on social media showed more than 100 people queuing in the street outside the pub.
In Birmingham, a lengthy queue developed outside the city centre Primark store before it opened its doors.
Retail analysts Springboard said that up to 10am yesterday there had been a 339.7% increase in footfall in shopping centres across the UK, 232.8% in high streets and 58.2% at retail parks week on week. Despite the relaxation in lockdown rules, social mixing indoors will remain heavily restricted, with around two in five adults yet to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and the vast majority yet to get both.
Mr Johnson said: “I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘Hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme.”
The need for continued vigilance was underlined by former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, who highlighted a surge in cases in Chile despite a successful vaccination campaign.
He told Sky News: “From the point of view of the population itself, we’re all dying to get out of lockdown.
“From the point of view of the epidemic, I think it’s all a little bit more worrying.”
He added: “Chile is a country where the rate of vaccination amongst the population was third highest in the world – they were ahead of us in terms of the number of people who have had the vaccine – and they’re suddenly now into a third wave.”