Spain: It’s nearly holiday time

The Prime Minister also said outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen from next Monday – as long as they can meet guidelines to protect customers and staff. Mr Johnson said these were “careful but deliberate steps on the road to rebuilding our country”.

The PM added: “I want people to be confident that they can shop safely, provided they follow the social-distancing rules for all premises.”

The easing applies to England only, with Wales and Scotland expected to make their own announcements in the coming weeks.

The two-month lockdown showed fresh signs of fraying yesterday as sun-seeking families flocked to beaches and beauty spots.

But Mr Johnson hoped easing curbs on the retail industry would help workers return to stores – and customers back to shopping.

The sector – apart from a handful of types of stores selling essential goods such as food, which were allowed to remain open – has been battered over the past two months, with workers furloughed and owners fearing for their futures.

Speaking at the No10 press conference, the PM said: “It’s a cautious plan, informed by the evidence about what’s safe, and is conditional on our continual progress against the virus – and we are making progress.”

The “key indicators” were “heading in the right direction”,

Mr Johnson stressed – and the

“R” number, charting the rate at which the infection spreads, was staying below one.

He said: “The daily number of deaths is down, the number of new cases is down, our survey suggests the infection rate is falling and the ‘R’ hasn’t risen above one.”

He believed announcing the looming easing of tough restrictions last night would give shops “sufficient time to adjust and get ready before these changes come into effect”. British Retail

SPAIN is throwing open its doors and lifting its 14-day quarantine rules for all foreign holidaymakers from July 1.

Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya tweeted emojis of a bikini, sunglasses and a suitcase, saying: “We look forward 2 welcoming you!”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez added: “Foreign tourists can now start planning their holidays here.” But the

PLANS Johnson

Government’s decision to quarantine people coming into the UK from June 8 for two weeks is causing concern in Spain, where 18 million Brits flock each year.

Benidorm mayor Toni Perez said: “No one knows how long it could last and that is having an effect on last-minute holiday reservations and cancellations.”

Spain has signed up 3,000 social distancing marshalls to patrol seasides.