Britain undertook its biggest easing of its virus-spurred lockdown.

Britain relaxes lockdown amid continuing infection worries

LONDON — The pints were supped and the unkempt hairdos cut and styled as England embarked Saturday on its biggest lockdown-easing yet, one that many think came too soon given still-high levels of coronavirus infections and deaths.

With the reopening of much of the English hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants, for the first time in more than three months, couples can tie the knot once again, though wedding guests are limited to 30, and film buffs can go to the cinema. Whatever is being permitted again has to abide by social-distancing rules.

Museums and libraries also got the green light, but gyms, swimming pools, theaters and nail bars remain shut. Restrictions on travel and social contact were loosened too: People from different households now can go into each other’s homes and even stay the night.

Overall, it is the most dramatic easing of the lockdown and one gleefully taken up by those despairing in front of a mirror over the state of their hair.

“It was doing my head in to be honest, I’m just glad it’s gone now,” William Brown, a 25-year-old plant engineer, said at Headley’s Barber Shop in Blaby, central England.

Owner Stephanie Headley, 35, was relieved to be back in business for the first time since the full lockdown was announced on March 23.

Headley said she was a “bit anxious” and has been inundated with appointment requests since British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the latest easing of the lockdown last week.

“I can’t wait to see all the dodgy haircuts that have come out of quarantine,” she said.

There are concerns the British government is being overly hasty, even reckless, in sanctioning the changes. The United Kingdom has experienced one of the world’s worst outbreaks: The coronavirus death toll of 44,198 is the third-highest behind the United States and Brazil.

The four nations of the U.K. — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — are moving at different speeds out of the lockdown.

The restrictions in England have been lifted the most, triggering concerns that the Johnson government is being unduly influenced by economic factors.