London - People could get a drink in a
pub, have a meal in a restaurant or get a haircut for the first
time in over three months on Saturday as England took its
biggest steps yet towards resumption of normal life.
Pubs were allowed to start serving from 6am, sparking
worries of over-indulgence on what the media dubbed a "Super
Saturday" of coronavirus restrictions being eased. Some
hairdressers were reported to have opened at the stroke of
midnight.
The Holland Tringham pub in south London, part of the JD
Wetherspoon chain, opened at 8am and was about three
quarters full by 11.20am.
"It's beautiful just to get back and have a pint," said Jim
Martin, a 56-year old carpenter.
Julie Scott, a 43-year-old teacher, was there with her
family for drinks and food.
"I think it's just where everyone gets to socialise and
catch up with people that they haven't seen...it's nice to just
get together," she said.
Others complained that the lockdown, which began in late
March and has been gradually eased in recent weeks, had lasted
too long.
"It's about time they opened them up," said pensioner Ron
Lock.
Police chiefs are worried the reopening of pubs could fuel
drunken and irresponsible behaviour, while hospitals have been
warned to prepare for a New Year's Eve-style weekend.
"There's an element of decompression going on, particularly
with younger people who've had some very responsible parents
keeping them in over recent weeks," Marc Jones, Police and Crime
Commissioner for Lincolnshire, told BBC radio.
Britain has been the European country worst hit by the
coronavirus, with more than 300,000 infections and an official
death toll of 44,131. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government
has faced criticism from the opposition over its handling of the
pandemic - including locking down later than some other parts of
Europe.
The Sun newspaper predicted that 15 million pints (8.5
million litres) of beer would be sunk in England on Saturday,
though some pub-goers may be deterred by the unsettled weather.
In another relaxation of lockdown rules two households can
now meet indoors as long as social distancing is maintained, and
overnight stays are allowed.
The rule changes apply only to England as the devolved
nations in the United Kingdom - Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland - have been setting their own timetables for easing
lockdown restrictions.
Johnson called on people to behave responsibly and respect
social distancing regulations as the risk of a resurgence of
coronavirus remains. Mindful of an economy that has taken a
hammering because of the lockdown, he also stressed the
importance of supporting businesses.
"The success of these businesses, the livelihoods of those
who rely on them, and ultimately the economic health of the
whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting
responsibly," he said at a news conference on Friday. "We must
not let them down."
Pub-goers will find the atmosphere rather different from the
usual Saturday-night scrum.
Numbers are limited, no one can stand at the bar and there
will be no live music. Patrons will also have to give their
details to allow tracers to identify them if anyone later tests
positive.
Wetherspoons, which is one of the UK's biggest chains, said
it had invested 11 million pounds ($13.7 million) in safety
measures.
It is not taking bookings, but said at busy times numbers
would be controlled by staff.