LONDON (Reuters) – People enjoyed their first pub gulps in more than three months, went to restaurants, and finally cut their hair on Saturday as England took its biggest steps until resuming normal life after the coronavirus blockade.
Some pubs started serving from 6 in the morning, raising concerns of an over-indulgence in what the media called a “Super Saturday” of reducing restrictions. Some hairdressers reportedly opened at midnight.
“It’s beautiful to come back and have a pint,” said Jim Martin, a 56-year-old carpenter enjoying a beer at The Holland Tringham pub in South London, part of JD Wetherspoon (JDW.L) chain. It opened at 8am and had approximately three full rooms at 11.20am
Julie Scott, a 43-year-old teacher, was there with her family for drinks and food.
“I think it’s where everyone can socialize and catch up with people they haven’t seen … it’s nice to just get together,” he said.
Others complained that the blockade, which started in late March and has been gradually eased in recent weeks, lasted too long.
“It is high time they opened them,” said pensioner Ron Lock.
Police chiefs fear the reopening of pubs could lead to drunken and irresponsible behavior, while hospitals have been warned to prepare for a New Year’s Eve weekend.
“There is an element of decompression going on, particularly with younger people who have had some very responsible parents supporting them for the past few weeks,” Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones told BBC radio.
Britain has been the European country most affected by the coronavirus, with more than 300,000 infections and an official number of deaths of 44,131.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has faced criticism from the opposition for its handling of the pandemic, including the closure later than in other parts of Europe, and is now eager for the battered economy to move again.
THE JOY OF A COURT
Men queuing for haircuts and busy hairdressing salons were a common thing across the country.
At Savvas Barbers in Streatham, South London, health assistant Benjamin Prior, 31, said he normally gets a cut every month, but has had to wait four months.
“It’s great to finally get a new haircut now, it’s the length I want, as short as possible,” he said.
In another relaxation of the closing rules, two households can now meet indoors as long as social distance is maintained and overnight stays are allowed.
The rule changes apply only to England, as the delegate nations in the United Kingdom (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) have set their own hours to ease the restrictions.
The Sun newspaper predicted that 15 million pints (8.5 million liters) of beer would sink in England on Saturday.
Johnson asked people to behave responsibly and respect social distancing regulations, as the risk of a coronavirus resurgence remains. He also stressed the importance of supporting companies.
“We must not disappoint them,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
The look of a pub was immediately controversial. Brexit activist Nigel Farage, known for his fondness for beer, tweeted a photo of himself in a reopened pub, but was met with a storm of criticism and suggestion on Twitter. the United States.
Farage attended a campaign rally for President Donald Trump in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20.
Ed Davey, the acting leader of small liberal Democratic opponents, said he had reported Farage to police.
Farage then tweeted that he had completed his quarantine time and had been tested for the virus that it was negative.
Reports by Natalie Thomas and Will Russell; Written by James Davey; Editing Frances Kerry
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