THE JOY OF SIX
»»Loved ones able to meet up at last »»Fabulous weather raises the spirits too
MILLIONS are gearing up for Magic Monday as they get to see friends and family for the first time in months.
The Rule of Six is back across England tomorrow, allowing outdoor meetings, team sport, as well as tennis and golf.
And the feelgood factor heated up as temperatures were tipped to hit 20C. On Tuesday it will nudge towards the 180-year-old March record of 25C in the south – while the likes of Leeds should see 21C.
Stores are getting busier, online sales of garden chairs and loungers are booming, and staycationers are booking in even greater numbers.
PM Boris Johnson yesterday said the country was set for a watershed moment on his roadmap back to normality.
He told the Conservative Party’s spring forum: “I think the second half of the year will have potential to be really fantastic.
BARBERS
“But it depends on things still going right. In just a few days, I’m finally going to be able to go to the barbers. But more important, I’m going to be able to go down the street and cautiously, but irreversibly, I’m going to drink a pint of beer in the pub.
“I can see absolutely nothing in the data to dissuade me from continuing along our roadmap to freedom, unlocking our economy and getting back to the life we love.”
From tomorrow, the “stay home” command in England becomes
“stay local”.
People can get together in gardens or parks in groups of six, or two households can meet up. Among those cheering the relaxation of rules was Alan Lally-Francis,
BALL BUOYS Pals play volleyball in Brighton
PM Boris Johnson says England’s route out of lockdown remains on schedule Bosses will offer free home Covid tests to staff in firms employing more than 10 38, from Whitechapel, East London. He said: “The days are getting longer, we can finally meet friends, dark winter is over and spring is here. Hopefully we can look forward to better times.”
Rufford Park Golf Club in Newark, Notts, is booked up for a fortnight. Director James Thompson said: “There will be
Wales lifts travel restrictions within its borders Government adviser warns that vaccine certificates could be “counter-productive” wild swings on the first tee, but people will be over the moon to be back.” Plenty of people were out and about in parks and on beaches too yesterday as the mood lifted.
Diane Wehrle, of retail experts Springboard, said the high street is busier. She said: “Shopper numbers have been rising from week to week.
“We expect that will increase noticeably in the week coming.”
Argos said online searches for sun loungers have risen tenfold, while interest in gazebos has quadrupled.
B&Q said barbecues, garden furniture and outdoor lighting are among bestsellers. Foreign trips are still banned – and unnecessary jaunts incur a £5,000 fine from tomorrow – so Brits are swamping campsites and B&Bs with bookings. Selfcontained holiday accommodation breaks are set to return on April 12.
Forest Holidays says its woodland cabin bookings are ahead by 63%.
The holidaycottages.co.uk website says bookings from May half-term onwards are up 40% and summer bookings are up 98%.
Motorhomes have been selling in record numbers too as millions plan a UK break. Two tourism campaigns, costing £20million, are bigging up the best of Britain’s seaside, country
side and city breaks. Tourism chiefs hope a bug chunk of the £43billion usually splashed out on jetaways will be spent in the UK.
In 2020 domestic tourism fell from £91.6billion to £34.4billion.
Now Visit Britain expects it to bounce back, with holidaymakers spending £62billion this year.
Laura Hughes, 36, co-owner of the Mindful Travel Co, said: “People are desperate to get out, have a change of scenery – but still want to be safe.”
Meanwhile, there was mixed news on the grip Covid holds. Another 58 UK deaths were recorded yesterday – down from 96 a week earlier – and new cases fell to 4,715. Almost 30million have had their first vaccine.
But the continent is in the midst of a crippling third wave. Germany, France and Poland have seen soaring cases and deaths. Experts fear Germany could hit 100,000 cases a day.