We’re going to be closing down this blog now. Thank you to everyone who’s read along with us today - special thanks to those who sent in tips and pointers, it’s always much appreciated.
If you’re venturing into the pub tonight, enjoy your post-lockdown pint, and stay safe!
“They have just finished polishing the brass plate at the threshold of Trullo at London’s Highbury Corner when I arrive for my lunch, dead on noon. A moment later I become the first customer to cross that threshold in 108 days.”
The Observer’s restaurant critic Jay Rayner has written about his first restaurant meal since lockdown, which gives fascinating insight into what dining out might look like for the foreseeable future.
You can read the full review here:
More detail has emerged about the incident in which police were attacked when breaking up an illegal rave in White City, west London, last night.
Two police officers suffered broken bones and nine others were injured after being pelted with bricks when they attended the scene.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has since condemned the attacks against officers as “disgraceful”.
“This feels very weird. It would feel more natural bringing my own and sitting on my own drinking in a park,” said Mark Simmons, a lawyer who was visiting the venue with his wife, Natasha, their two children and friends.
“Coming to a place that serves alcohol in a car park is weird.”
My colleague Mattha Busby reports from an east London pub (well, the car park of an east London pub...)
Updated
“[Boohoo’s success] meant relying on the rapid work of suppliers in Leicester – “the bedrock of Boohoo’s success”, according to one industry source. Estimates suggested that 75%-80% of the city’s garment output is sold to the company.
Amid the quarantine gloom, it was a British coronavirus success story.
In Leicester this week, however, a very different lockdown narrative was unfolding, of a city that had failed to keep the virus under control and was facing new local restrictions.
In case you missed it, this is a very important report from my colleagues Archie Bland and Annie Kelly into the conditions of factory workers in Leicester, which has just been put into a localised lockdown after a jump in coronavirus cases.
Updated
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has called on the UK to come together at 5pm tomorrow to thank the NHS on its 72nd birthday.
It’s not entirely clear what this would entail. Perhaps a final resurgence of the NHS clap?
Tomorrow at 5pm, Britain will be saying #ThankYouTogether to our incredible NHS, carers, key workers, volunteers & everyone playing their part in the heroic national effort against #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/luL9rwzFqq
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 4, 2020
Updated
The Labour leader has criticised the government’s handling of the easing of lockdown restrictions, describing its messaging as “all over the place”.
Sir Keir Starmer said this weekend’s reopening had been a test for the government, but that it had given conflicting messages.
“The messaging has been all over the place,” Starmer told TimesRadio. “You have had some government messaging saying go out and have a drink, other messaging saying be responsible, be cautious – the messaging, I think, has been very poor over the last few weeks.
“Today is a massive day, and it is a real test. We have supported the easing of restrictions and we have supported the government on that. But, we have been very mindful of the risks, so we are saying be very cautious the virus hasn’t gone away,” he said.
“My message, really, to the government is, this is a big test for you,” he added. “We are supporting you in easing restrictions but you absolutely have to be on top of the risks. And that means that things like test, track and trace really have to work. And there has to be a much better way of dealing with local outbreaks.”
Updated
A man in his 20s has died after being found with gunshot wounds near Pentonville prison, north London.
Police were called to Roman Way, Islington, at around 3.20pm on Saturday following reports of shots being fired.
The man died at the scene but no arrests have been made, Scotland Yard said.
The victims family have been informed.
The motivation for the attack remains unclear. The Metropolitan police said it was too early to say whether the shooting was linked to Pentonville, which is one of the country’s oldest and busiest jails, housing a men’s prison and a young offender institution.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has video or images that could assist is asked to call 101, referencing CAD 4432/4 July.
Updated
UK death toll at 44,198
In the UK, 44,198 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Friday – up by 67 from the previous day. This is according to figures from the Department of Health and Social Care.
As of 9am on 4 July, 284,900 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK under pillars 1 and 2, meaning in swabs taken from those in hospital or healthcare workers, and swabs from the wider population.
This does not include the results from antibodies tests, which show whether someone has had the virus, or blood and swab testing for national surveillance supported by PHE, ONS and research, academic, and scientific partners.
The department also acknowledged that the true number of coronavirus cases will be far higher, as these figures do account for people who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and do not get tested.
Updated
The prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, has defended his decision to travel to Greece during the coronavirus pandemic.
Stanley Johnson posted a picture on social media of himself arriving in the country wearing a mask, and said he was visiting on “essential business” because he needed to “Covid-proof my property” before the letting season.
He was widely criticised for travelling via Bulgaria to avoid travel bans on direct flights from the UK.
Asked about social media posts, Johnson senior told reporters on Saturday: “I didn’t put them up... in a spirit of defiance or anything like that.”
Asked if he had put his son, the prime minister, in a difficult position by travelling to Greece, Johnson senior said: “I have read his answers and he is absolutely right to say... that, you know what... and I think... I am not going to talk about private conversations between family members... and, I am absolutely not going to talk about that.”
Referring to airbridges between the UK and other countries, the PM’s father said: “Let’s open this airbridge as quick as we can. People are longing to get here and this is a country which has everything.”
He added: “I am not going to say whether my actions were correct or not but in any case what happened, happened. How wonderful it would be if, quite quickly, if the two governments could come to some arrangement.”
Boris Johnson has refused to condemn his father for flying to Greece in apparent breach of Foreign Office guidance to avoid non-essential travel.
“I think you really ought to raise that with him. I am not going to get into details of family conversations,” he said on LBC.
Updated
Hi everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for a while.
If you spot something we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter. Thanks in advance!
Evening summary
- Pubs, cinemas, hairdressers and other higher risk businesses have reopened across England today. One pub managed to reopen, despite a car crashing through its front window on Friday night.
- Priti Patel has joined other members of the government in calling on English people not to encourage the further spread of the coronavirus through “irresponsible behaviour and carelessness” as lockdown measures are eased.
- Nigel Farage has been accused of breaking quarantine rules by visiting a pub. He was the first man in.
- Rail services across the UK are to increase by 15% from Sunday, rising from around 70% of pre-lockdown levels to 85% in anticipation of higher demand from travellers.
Updated
And here’s our story on Farage’s behaviour:
There has been some dispute on social media (not for the first time) over a tweet posted by Nigel Farage.
The Brexit party leader shared this image of himself with a pint earlier, alongside a boast that he was the first drinker into his local.
12 o’clock, first customer in. Love it. pic.twitter.com/pBYm9rtejA
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 4, 2020
Is was subsequently observed, however, that Farage should have been in quarantine, after recently returning from the US having been part of Donald Trump’s sparsely attended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Typhoid Nigel strikes again. Less than 2 weeks after returning from US. Not yet out of quarantine. Illegally infecting a pub near you https://t.co/crJrotlHCm
— Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) July 4, 2020
Farage, perhaps recognising he was in a pickle, hit back:
To all those screaming and shouting about me going to the pub.... I have been back from the USA for 2 weeks and I have been tested — the result was negative. Sorry to disappoint you. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/E8maRljGwS
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 4, 2020
That didn’t stand up for long, given that Trump’s rally was on the evening of 20 June 20, exactly two weeks ago.
The first claim is demonstrably a lie, as Farage was in Tulsa two weeks ago today. The second claim implicitly misstates the quarantine law in England: there's no "negative test" exception from the obligation to self-isolate for two weeks - https://t.co/I2HF7BOuQg https://t.co/MQPNhYGpig
— Steve Peers (@StevePeers) July 4, 2020
In the latest instalment, all taking place on Twitter, the Lib Dem leadership candidate Ed Davey has announced he’s reporting Farage to the police.
“I’ve written to Kent police asking them to investigate whether Nigel Farage has broken quarantine rules. He was in the USA on the evening of 20 June but was out and about earlier today. Millions of people have had to abide by the rules, and he should as well,” Davey wrote.
Updated
Hallo this is Paul MacInnes, taking you through the next hour of coverage as England eases its lockdown restrictions and its citizens try to work out what to make of that.
Updated
Roads in south-west England were “very, very busy” as lockdown restrictions eased on Saturday, with holidaymakers flocking to the region, PA Media reports.
Traffic cameras and pictures posted on social media showed busy service station car parks, congested motorway carriageways and caravans making their way towards the coast.
Travellers were urged to avoid peak times, while police asked caravan owners to check their vehicles before setting off to prevent hold-ups.
As well as roads in the South West, a broken-down vehicle at junction 25 of the M25 caused traffic to build as Londoners tried to make their way out of the capital.
Devon and Cornwall police and Dorset police’s roads policing teams tweeted:
The roads are wet and very, very busy heading in to Devon and Cornwall.
We’re out in force trying to keep things moving but please keep a safe distance.
Theme parks including Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures have begun a phased reopening as lockdown was eased significantly in England today.
In many cases, to allow for social distancing, theme parks are asking guests to pre-book a ticket online to guarantee entry, so as they can restrict the number of visitors each day. Hygiene and safety measures are in place.
Guests will have their temperature checked on arrival, empty rows and seats will be left on rollercoasters and enhanced cleaning will be carried out throughout the day, including to ride seats and restraints.
Guests at Chessington are also encouraged to bring and wear a suitable face covering, with securely fitted face masks mandatory on some rides. At Thorpe Park, you will need to bring one, and everyone over the age of six must wear one on certain rides. For water rides they recommend you remove them “in case they get wet”.
Here’s a report from Sky News.
Theme parks reopen their gates across England - but with social distancing, extra cleaning and temperature checks.
— SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 4, 2020
Follow today’s events live here: https://t.co/zG5FQ9ZjWe pic.twitter.com/o6UtZmSESI
Updated
Our Jason Rodrigues is in Soho, which looks quite lively with many bars, cafes and restaurants open for business.
A real buzz has returned to London’s Soho, with bars, cafes and restaurants doing a brisk trade. Businesses on Old Compton Street in particular seem to be benefitting from the council’s decision to introduce a pedestrian zone. #PubsReopening pic.twitter.com/aAWrZ0xoTJ
— Jason Rodrigues (@RodriguesJasonL) July 4, 2020
The national chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said feedback from branches suggested up to half of pubs have not reopened today.
Speaking after raising a pint of Marston’s Pedigree to mark the easing of England’s 105-day pub lockdown, Camra’s Nik Antona told PA Media many licensees had done a fantastic job to manage to reopen in the face of insufficient notice from the government.
I think it’s going to be difficult for pubs. They are opening up under uncertain circumstances. They don’t know if they’re going to get their customers back.
The government have not really been helpful with their guidance, leaving it to the last minute in a lot of cases.
What you are finding is, some of the pubs haven’t even bothered opening today - they want to see what’s going to happen. Across the country I’ve seen figures of up to 50% of pubs actually not opening today.
Urging drinkers to vote with their feet and support local bars and pubs, while maintaining safety through social distancing and respecting staff, Antona added:
It’s important that people come back to the pub - but do it safely.
Updated
Blood Cancer UK has urged people to continue to observe social distancing and to approach the easing of lockdown restrictions responsibly.
Gemma Peters, the charity’s chief executive, implored the public to do all they can to stop the virus spreading and to protect those who are still shielding.
There are around 200,000 people with blood cancer who are shielding in the UK and the condition increases the risk of becoming ill with the coronavirus more than almost any other.
💬 Our Chief Executive @gemmapeters has a message for the public ahead of the re-opening of pubs and cafes in England and N. Ireland this weekend.
— Blood Cancer UK (@bloodcancer_uk) July 3, 2020
❤️ Please retweet, and help keep the 200,000 people with #bloodcancer who are shielding safe. pic.twitter.com/PWeMLkR3Kn
A further 39 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 28,871, NHS England said.
My colleague Amy Walker has been out and about in Manchester where the atmosphere was far less raucous than expected as lockdown restrictions eased significantly across England today.
James Micklethwaite, 28, who lives in Didsbury, had been “counting down the minutes until pubs reopen”, but was making his trip to the pub a short-lived affair. He said:
I’m anxious about how other people are going to be around us and if they’re going to be adhering to everything.
Ruth Hemmingfield, the co-director of music venue turned bar and diner YES, said that young people were simply seeking a bit of “normality” and to see their friends casually.
I know it’s been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, but I don’t think it’s being seen as that.
A pub has managed to open despite a car crashing into its front in the early hours, the landlord said.
The Swan Inn at Little Chart, near Ashford in Kent, will still be able to serve pints to customers outside despite the landlord being woken by the devastation at around 2am on Saturday.
Ray Perkins told the PA Media news agency:
It was absolutely devastating because obviously we were opening today.
We’ve had everybody rally round and clear up the bar, every single glass has had to be washed again.
He added:
We’ve got open, we’ve managed to open the pub - not inside, only outside.
Perkins said he was “absolutely gutted” and “exhausted” by the incident, but was determined to open up for his customers.
We’ve worked hard for the last god knows how many weeks now to get it ready for today.
At 2am they basically nearly destroyed today for us, but that’s life.
We just didn’t want to let anyone down because we’ve got 200 people booked to come and eat and drink outside and be merry on the first day of opening.
Kent police said they were called to the scene shortly before 2.25am alongside paramedics and the fire service.
Three 17-year-old boys inside the car were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries. One of them has been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and drink driving. He remains in custody.
Devestating blow for The Swan Inn, Little Chart, Ashford, after a car crashed into the front of it in the early hours of this morning. They were ready to reopen today for the first time since lockdown @bbcsoutheast. The village has rallied round this morning to clean up the mess pic.twitter.com/tbQsoRxpks
— Josie Hannett (@JosieHannett) July 4, 2020
Pubs across England have been allowed to reopen as lockdown restrictions were relaxed early this morning.
Restaurants, bars and cinemas have also been allowed to welcome customers for the first time in three months.
Pubs in Wales and Scotland must remain closed until later this month as the devolved nations are lifting their own lockdown rules more slowly, but hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes in Northern Ireland reopened on Friday.
Updated
No new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 were recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, the Scottish government said.
A further 11 confirmed cases were recorded, bringing the total there to date to 18,287.
As of 2pm today 275,751 people in Scotland have been tested for #coronavirus
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) July 4, 2020
257,464 confirmed negative
18,287 positive
2,488 patients who tested positive have sadly died.
Latest update ➡️ https://t.co/bZPbrCoQux
Health advice ➡️ https://t.co/l7rqArB6Qu#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/GWbsb4GtjX
Public Health Wales said a further five people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of reported deaths in Wales to 1,530.
The total number of confirmed positive cases increased by 34 to 15,875.
The latest number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Wales has been updated.
— Public Health Wales (@PublicHealthW) July 4, 2020
Data dashboard:
💻https://t.co/zpWRYSUbfh
📱 https://t.co/HSclxpZjBh
Find out how we are responding to the spread of the virus in our daily statement here: https://t.co/u6SKHz0zsG pic.twitter.com/jTvV1OWjfE
This is from the Manchester Evening News’ Rebecca Day
I’ve spoken to regulars Chris and Jimmy. Jimmy hasn’t gone to bed after his night shift tarmacking the roads. He had a shower and came straight here. He described the taste of his first Carling as being like an ‘angel p***ing on the tip of his tongue’ @MENnewsdesk #citybacktolife pic.twitter.com/sUAKwlstwt
— Rebecca Day (@RebeccaDayMEN) July 4, 2020
Priti Patel urges public not to 'jeopardise' progress through 'irresponsible behaviour and carelessness'
The home secretary, Priti Patel, has urged people to enjoy the weekend, but to do so safely and responsibly.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph (paywall), Patel stressed that, though “our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end”, it remains crucial “that we stay alert while the coronavirus is still present in our communities”.
She warned people not to jeopardise the hard work and sacrifices the country has made, in particular those made by health and social care workers, through “irresponsible behaviour and carelessness”.
This weekend marks an important moment in our country's battle with coronavirus.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) July 4, 2020
In today’s @Telegraph I urge everyone to enjoy the weekend safely and responsibly. https://t.co/6rIdWJi05E
Updated
Cinemas in England have begun to reopen their doors to customers following months of closure.
Filmgoers are being welcomed into venues with reduced capacities and are being encouraged to follow measures such as wearing masks, paying by contactless transactions and using hand-sanitising stations on arrival and exit.
However, while some cinemas resumed trading on Saturday, a large number have remained closed despite restrictions being lifted.
PA Media reports from the Showcase cinema in the Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford, Kent, where staff are all wearing masks and being subject to mandatory temperature checks on arrival at work.
Perspex screens have been put up around tills and stations where food is served, and one-way systems around the venue guide customer’s movement in an effort to stop them coming into close contact with each other.
A dearth of new film releases means the cinema is showing old films including Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone and Back To The Future.
A steady stream of people were coming into the venue on Saturday and very few were wearing masks.
Andrea Necchi, a 31-year-old project manager for protection at a construction company, said it was a “strange” experience, adding that his children had their temperature taken on the way in.
It’s all a bit eerie, but apart from that it is good to be back.
Michelle Major, 57, who is a dog carer, said she is glad that normality is slowly returning as it has been difficult to explain the lockdown restrictions to her son, who is disabled and autistic.
“It has been hard for him to understand what is happening,” she said, adding that he was “super excited” to be going to the cinema.
She said she has been “impressed” by the measures put in place by the cinema.
I think it is very safe, it is not the staff or the cinema who will mess things up, it is the customers.
Molly Ladbrook-Hutt, a 36-year-old director of media, said it “felt great to be somewhere different”, adding:
I’m really impressed so far with the measures, everything has been really clearly explained and it has been a lot easier than expected.
While cinemas are allowed to resume trading on Saturday, a large number of venues have not immediately done so. Cinema chain Cineworld pushed back its reopening date to 31 July, blaming the delay on changes to planned film release dates.
Odeon has opened 10 of its cinemas on Saturday before opening a further 88 by the end of the month. Vue and Picturehouse are also not opening this weekend.
Updated
Afternoon, everybody. This is Lucy Campbell, back from lunch. Please feel free to continue to get in touch throughout the day as I bring you the latest on the easing of lockdown in England. Your thoughts are always welcome!
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.com
Twitter: @lucy_campbell_
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has shared a picture of himself having a long-awaited haircut this morning.
He said he was pleased to support businesses but urged people to remember that the virus was not over, that and businesses still needed support.
Finally!
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 4, 2020
My barber Chris told me this morning coronavirus has been the biggest challenge his business has ever faced.
The virus has not gone away. We need targeted support for businesses and the furlough scheme extended for those parts of the economy most at risk. pic.twitter.com/QEd52hbHg5
Updated
Rail services to be ramped up from Sunday
Rail services in the UK will be increased by around 15% on Sunday, industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said.
As demand increases due to the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in parts of the UK this weekend, services will increase from around 70% of pre-lockdown levels to 85%.
However, people are still being urged to avoid non-essential travel on public transport.
Some specific changes include:
- Avanti West Coast will increase its timetable from six to eight trains per hour to and from London Euston from Monday. This will return the Manchester and Birmingham routes to their usual frequencies of three trains per hour.
- There will be more services between Holyhead and Crewe.
- Additional trains will be operated by Southern during peak times from Monday, on routes including Sutton-London Victoria via Selhurst, London Victoria-Epsom, London Bridge-Crystal Palace via Sydenham, and Clapham Junction-Milton Keynes.
- Longer trains will be deployed on the London Bridge-Eastbourne via Lewes and London Bridge-Chichester via Horsham routes.
Train companies have introduced measures including more frequent cleaning of carriages, signage to encourage social distancing, and vending machines selling face coverings at stations.
RDG director of nations and regions Robert Nisbet said: “While we are still asking people only to take the train if necessary, as the lockdown is eased further we are stepping up timetables and taking other steps so people can travel with confidence.”
“In return, we want people to help us by avoiding the busiest times, wearing a face covering and checking the latest train information online before setting off.”
Updated
Here’s a rather amusing report from Press Association on pubs reopening in Chester:
Drinkers have enjoyed their first post-lockdown pints as pubs reopened in Chester but remained shuttered just a few miles away over the border in Wales.
The first pints were pulled at 11am in the centre of the city, as a handful of regulars trickled into The Shropshire Arms.
“Heaven,” said Bert Lockley, a regular, sipping his first pint of draught Guinness for three months. “I’ve missed this more than my missus when she left,” Lockley said.
“You can drink at home but you can’t get this feeling anywhere else.”
Footage has emerged of police officers being attacked as they broke up a music event in White City, London last night which was in breach of coronavirus restrictions.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has condemned the incident as “disgraceful”.
As many public spaces and businesses reopen today, prime minister Boris Johnson has sought to clarify some of the confusion around physical distancing rules on Twitter.
He said that if it was possible to stay 2 metres away from other people, you should. However, if this is not possible, you can come within a metre of them, as long as you take other precautions.
If you can stay 2 metres apart from others, do.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 4, 2020
Where that is impossible, in England you may be 1 metre away from others, provided you take precautions – like wearing a face covering.#StayAlert
Updated
The mayor of London has condemned a street party which took place in west London last night as “disgraceful”, after seven police officer were injured.
Officers wearing protective gear were pelted with bricks when they arrived at the scene in White City to shut down an illegal rave.
The area was cleared at around 1.15am, and a section 60 order was put in place, allowing police to stop and search anyone in the nearby area.
Sadiq Khan called the incident “disgraceful”, saying: “Violence against the police will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted.
“Extra police will be out today continuing to work hard to keep our city safe.”
Deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said the officers were responding to “residents complaining about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence”.
“These gatherings are illegal and also pose a risk to public health,” Taylor said. “The violence shown towards officers this evening was totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form.”
Updated
Hi everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the live blog for a little while on what is a highly significant day in England’s lockdown experience.
If you spot something you think we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter. I won’t be able to reply to everything but will endeavour to read it all! Thanks in advance.
Beauty businesses, including nail bars and tanning salons, which have incurred massive losses during the lockdown have to remain closed today, despite the reopening of hairdressers and barbers across England.
My colleague Ellie Violet Bramley reports that women are disproportionately affected by their continued closure. Around 90% of the beauty industry workforce and the majority of its clientele is female and the government has been accused of sexism for omitting salons from the list of businesses reopening today – evident during this week’s PMQs.
Industry figures point out that the beauty sector brings in more in GDP than motor vehicle manufacturing – “but you wouldn’t see MPs laughing out loud at mention of this sector during PMQs” – and that the industry is well prepared to reopen safely.
Earlier this week, Caroline Nokes wrote that male ministers had forgotten about women and their wellbeing in drafting lockdown-easing plans.
In a blog for ConservativeHome, the MP for Romsey and Southampton North wrote:
Why have we seen the urge to get football back, support for golf and fishing, but a lack of recognition that individual pilates studios can operate in a safe socially distanced way, rigorously cleaned between clients?
Pilates and yoga have a client base that is predominantly women and in the region of 80% of yoga instructors are women. These are female-led businesses, employing women, supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of women, and still they are given no clue as to when the end of lockdown will be in sight.
I cannot help but feel this relaxation has forgotten we exist. Or just assumed that women will be happy to stay home and do the childcare and home schooling, because the sectors they work in are last to be let out of lockdown, while their husbands go back to work, resume their lives and celebrate by having a pint with their mates.
While businesses like pubs, barbers and galleries can reopen in England today, it’s important to remember all those that have not been given the green light to reopen in a Covid-secure way, including the creative industries, which stand on the brink of collapse.
Last night, Nicholas Hytner, the former artistic director of the National Theatre, issued a stark warning that the fate of the UK’s entire cultural ecosystem is “right at the critical point now”.
Unless there is a substantial, unprecedented rescue package as part of the chancellor’s July statement next week, we’re really looking at waves of insolvencies, waves of redundancies. We’re looking at the whole ecosystem breaking down.
[As well as theatres] we’re talking about concert venues, large and small, gigs, community arts, circus, classical and popular music – this is massive generating force for the economy at large.
"Unless there is a substantial rescue package we are looking at waves of insolvencies. We are looking at the whole cultural ecosystem breaking down. This is not just theatres."
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) July 3, 2020
- a stark warning from Nicholas Hytner, former artistic director of the National Theatre.
#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/kyLr8f7U26
Hytner also questioned why it was considered safe to fly in an aeroplane but not to sit in a socially distanced audience in a theatre.
"What's the difference between an aeroplane and a Theatre. Why is it safe to fly six a breast to Greece but not safe to sit in a theatre? I don't understand that."
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) July 3, 2020
- questions Nicholas Hytner, former artistic director of the National Theatre.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/vJNWZKUD0J
And he pointed to rescue packages for culture across the rest of Europe, and asked why the UK had not yet done the same to preserve British culture.
At a press conference on Friday, Boris Johnson said the government would set out a “roadmap” for reopening the events and arts sectors in a Covid-secure way next week.
Updated
Ahead of the 72nd anniversary of the NHS tomorrow, health workers have taken to Twitter to implore people to drink responsibly as pubs reopen today and to remember that the coronavirus pandemic is not over.
One lung doctor wrote:
I just got dressed for the pubs reopening today.
— Dr Keir Philip (@keirphilip) July 4, 2020
Please drink responsibly, which means not in a pub.#SuperSpreaderSaturday #WelcomeBackPubs pic.twitter.com/2zy8jl4q4m
One ICU nurse tweeted:
Just a friendly reminder that whilst today is an exciting day and we’re all desperate to go back to normality, coronavirus hasn’t just disappeared and there is still many of us still working to fight this. Stay safe and please drink responsibly 😌 #PubsOpening pic.twitter.com/W4rXsVqyEA
— rhi (@rhiannonfarrell) July 4, 2020
And one first responder tweeted:
Off to the pub today? 🍻
— Laura Heath (@LauraHeathh_) July 4, 2020
If anything, be sensible and please don’t drink and drive.
Working 6-6 today, choose your ride back wisely 🚑 👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/uLdIXLY4Dw
A nationwide round of applause is set to take place on Sunday evening to mark the health service’s anniversary.
People will also be encouraged to observe a minute’s silence and light a candle in remembrance of the lives lost to Covid-19.
Updated
As England’s lockdown gets a major easement, Guardian Money has compiled a handy guide for what to expect if you’re off to a hairdresser, pub or hotel today.
They’ve covered everything from disposable towels at Toni & Guy to moveable screens at Wagamama and face masks on the rides at Thorpe Park, if you needed a confidence boost.
People in Wales must continue to follow the five-mile advice and stay local this weekend as pubs open over the border in England, the first minister has said.
Mark Drakeford said that while those living very close to England may be able to visit pubs that are open, it would not be possible for the majority of people in Wales.
Police forces have also urged Welsh residents to heed the “stay local” advice while Transport for Wales said public transport should only be used for “essential travel”.
Pubs in England were able to open from 6am today but those in Wales will only be able to operate outdoors from 13 July.
The “stay local” requirement in Wales will end on Monday when two households will be able to form one extended household - enabling families to be reunited.
In a press conference on Friday, Drakeford was asked what he would say to those in Wales who were considering travelling to England over the weekend to visit a pub.
I certainly do say to people who are thinking of going across the border that the five-mile advice, the stay local regulations, remain in place in Wales this weekend.
So while there are populations very close to the border who may choose to travel, for most of us that will not be a possibility.
He stressed the need for people to behave in ways that “allow us all to continue to be safe”.
Please, wherever you are in Wales, this weekend is not a reason or an excuse to abandon all the things that you have worked so hard to achieve.
Please continue to do those things and help to keep Wales safe.
Gwent police told the BBC that it would be continuing regular patrols ahead of the travel restrictions being lifted, and North Wales police tweeted:
From Monday some restrictions are changing here in #Wales, however until then please continue to #StayLocal
— North Wales Police #StaySafeStayLocal (@NWPolice) July 3, 2020
Also...
↔️ Remember social distancing
🧼 Wash your hands regularly
🏡 self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms#KeepWalesSafe https://t.co/MbqZZONnys
Updated
This is from Piers Morgan.
The tweet (now deleted) which was posted by the official 10 Downing Street Twitter account, said:
You can only meet people who don’t live with you outside.
Commentators swiftly pointed out this was very confusing, especially given the major easing of lockdown measures in England from today, including the reopening of pubs and hair salons.
No10 tweeted this earlier, then realised it was utter nonsense & contradicted all their new guidance re pubs, restaurants, hair salons etc- so deleted it.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 4, 2020
They're completely clueless. pic.twitter.com/zOa402Si2J
Updated
Seemingly at odds with the tone of the chancellor (see 10.06am), in an interview with the Daily Mail the health secretary, Matt Hancock, said he had a quiet “Super Saturday” planned.
He would have a pint with his brother and a haircut, and he has booked a family staycation in Cornwall for August.
The health secretary also said he would support police chiefs tasked with curbing any irresponsible or riotous behaviour today. Asked if judges and magistrates should take a tough line if pub fights break out, he said: “Of course, the law is there for a reason.”
Updated
Chancellor urges public to 'eat out to help out' with reopening the economy
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has welcomed the reopening of pubs and implored the public to “eat out to help out” the hospitality industry.
In an interview with the Times (paywall), the chancellor said Britain needed to get spending in pubs and restaurants again to avoid a jobs meltdown that could see a generation of young people being “lost” to the coronavirus. Sunak said it was the nation’s duty to “relearn what it’s like to go out again”.
He said:
This is a consumption-driven economy; people used to, three months ago, go out with their friends or family to go and have a meal. Or buy a car, or upgrade their house, or move house. Go camping, come up to the Yorkshire Dales and go coast to coast. Eat out to help out.
His sentiments echoed those of the prime minister, who on Friday said the “economic health of the whole country” depended on consumers acting responsibly in successfully reopening the economy.
PA Media reports that Sunak said:
The hospitality sector is a vital part of our economy and crucial to people’s livelihoods - Britain’s pubs and bars alone employ almost half a million people - which is why it’s such good news that so many people are able to return to work this weekend, helping us all to enjoy summer safely.
Regulars have returned for much-anticipated drinks at the Toll Gate Wetherspoons pub in Turnpike Lane, north London, PA Media repors.
Andrew Slawinski, 54, who bought a Guinness, described his first pub pint in three months as “gorgeous”. “It’s like winning the [Premier] League,” he said.
A range of measures have been implemented at the pub including contact tracing forms, Perspex screens and compulsory table service.
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And the BBC’s Chris Mason, whose locks once made the Grazia UK chart of lust, is finally getting his hair chopped live.
The haircut is underway on #BBCBreakfast 💇♂️✂️
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 4, 2020
ALSO how much are @ChrisMasonBBC's glassing steaming up 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/3CGNFp18eo
This is from the BBC’s Jayne McCubbin who was up with the crows to be one of the first people in England to secure a months-awaited trim.
God love Jill for going on the box in a basin 🥰
— Jayne McCubbin (@JayneMcCubbinTV) July 4, 2020
Making history here for @BBCBreakfast getting one of the very 1st post lockdown locks hair dos! Her las appointment was meant to be on the day the country closed. 5 months hair drought over today! pic.twitter.com/B9QCxr01VM
An irresponsibly boozy Saturday could overwhelm A&E services in England, the British Medical Association has warned.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph (paywall) and speaking to BBC Breakfast, Simon Walsh, the BMA’s emergency medicine lead, reminded the public to act responsibly as pubs, restaurants and bars reopen today.
Health chiefs are fearful as casualty departments have been redesigned to segregate patients, and so could not cope with a sudden surge in demand if people overdo their celebrations.
Our emergency medicine lead @smileywalshey reminds the public to act responsibly following the govt relaxations today. Speaking to @BBCBreakfast he warned that A&E departments ‘simply do not have the capacity we had before the pandemic to treat the amount of people at one time’ https://t.co/6z2Ly6uwov pic.twitter.com/3uu4P3dDOU
— The BMA (@TheBMA) July 4, 2020
Updated
This is from the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, urging people to support local businesses as lockdown is eased today, but to do safely by practising physical distancing, avoiding public transport and wearing a face covering.
As our city emerges from lockdown, I encourage Londoners to support the incredible businesses in their neighbourhoods. But, please do so sensibly: avoid public transport if possible, follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face covering if you’re able to. pic.twitter.com/azVKJ9KtiO
— Mayor of London (gov.uk/coronavirus) (@MayorofLondon) July 4, 2020
Updated
While driving instructors in England can resume business today, tests will be prioritised for those whose tests were cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, my colleague Amy Walker reports.
The Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) said that from 6 July, cancelled tests would be rescheduled for essential workers. Non-critical workers who had booked a test will be contacted by the DVSA to rebook from 22 July, although exams may not resume until August, meaning learner drivers face a huge backlog before they can book their practical test.
The easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England will lead to some “decompression” and “overdoing it” by a minority of young people, a police and crime commissioner has said.
Marc Jones, Lincolnshire’s Conservative police and crime commissioner, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
I think there will always be some over-doing going on and I don’t think tonight will be any different from any other Saturday night, sadly, in that regard.
I do think there is an element of decompression going on, particularly with younger people who have had some very responsible parents keeping them in over recent weeks.
We are seeing some gatherings that police are having to deal with in parks and open spaces, and I think those kind of things are going to last for a few days and then we should start to get back to normal.
An update from Rob, who is at the Moon Under Water pub in north London.
By 9am, about 30 people have come through the door and most have stayed. Some wear masks but most do not. Staff are in good spirits but there is wariness about what’s to come this evening.
The pub is back but it’s going to be a while before normality returns.
Updated
Some couples also have not wasted any time before saying “I do” and two key workers got married just moments after the restrictions lifted, PA Media reports.
Jennifer Wilson and security guard Louise Arnold, both 22, said ‘I do’ in the grounds of Runcorn Town Hall, Cheshire at 12.01am https://t.co/kO1Q5SSuzm
— PA Media (@PA) July 4, 2020
Care home worker Jennifer Wilson and security guard Louise Arnold, both 22, married at the Peace Garden Pergola in the grounds of Runcorn Town Hall, Cheshire, in what was thought to be the first wedding after the updated Covid-19 guidelines came into force.
Wilson told PA:
Last week the registry office rang and asked if we wanted to be the first couple in the UK to marry after lockdown, and we just said yes.
We both work nights normally, so the time suited us.
Arnold, who works for lorry firm Eddie Stobart, added:
With it having just been Pride month, this felt like something we couldn’t really pass up. Not just for us but for other LGBT people who haven’t been able to get together to celebrate Pride.
The Moon Under Water, a Wetherspoons pub in Colindale, North West London, might just be the first pub in London, if not the UK, to serve a pint since mid-March.
At 8am, there is no queue but it doesn’t take long for a few early-morning punters to start filtering in.
Social distancing measures in place outside but at 7.45am the queue hasn't fully formed yet... pic.twitter.com/vBZIlliM8N
— Rob Davies (@ByRobDavies) July 4, 2020
On arrival, they’re asked to fill out an NHS Test and Trace form. Markers on the floor show where to stand and there are Perspex screens at the tills to protect staff and customers, as well as hand sanitiser dispensers everywhere.
Ah, the classic English pub experience. pic.twitter.com/MMg3znMkvr
— Rob Davies (@ByRobDavies) July 4, 2020
Patrons are encouraged to use the Wetherspoons app to order but you can get served at the bar the old-fashioned way.
Stephen Barrie, 56, a semi-retired binman, is the proud owner of the pub’s first pint of the day, a Bud Light poured shortly after 8am.
“I thought there’d be a queue but was the first in the door,” he said.
It’s not really my local but I travel all over and I heard on the news that Wetherspoons pubs would be opening at eight.
It’s a bit strange. It’s all about where you have to stand and you’ve got the screens at the till.
During the pandemic, he bought beer at the supermarket but says “it wasn’t the same”.
I missed it very much having a drink with friends and the camaraderie. I don’t even know who might have passed away [during lockdown] for instance.
Krzystof Stankiewicz, 40, is a minicab driver at the end of a night shift.
“I’ve been waiting for this for three months,” he says.
This situation with coronavirus, all days have been the same, Monday like Sunday, Thursday like Friday.
I listened on the radio and heard this pub was open. I live in Colindale and it’s my favourite pub.
I’ll have a beer, go to sleep, then wake up and go to work this evening.
Here it is...what I believe may be the first pint served in London since March. pic.twitter.com/m2PT0TXV1m
— Rob Davies (@ByRobDavies) July 4, 2020
Joe Fay, 20 and Sean Scanlon, 20, both work in the building trade. They’re sitting in the back of the pub, where perspex screens divide the tables.
It’s Tim Wetherspoons [founder chairman Tim Martin], so you knew this pub would be open as soon as it could be.
Neither of them are too worried about catching coronavirus in the pub.
“It’s everywhere and you can’t stop everything,” says Joe.
There’s no vaccine and there’s not going to be for years so what’s the point? You have to support local businesses and we’ll go to some smaller pubs later on.
It’s gonna be a bit of a crawl. The rest of our mates aren’t up yet but they’ll be coming out later. We’ve been missing this for four months.
Updated
Major easing of lockdown in England sees pubs and hair salons reopen
Good morning everyone! I’m Lucy Campbell, here to take you through all the latest coronavirus news throughout the day, as lockdown restrictions in England are significantly eased today.
From 6am this morning people in England have been able to tie the knot, head to their local pub for a long-awaited pint or get their lockdown mops trimmed at the hairdressers under modified physical distancing conditions, three months after the lockdown closed the doors of pubs, restaurants and hair salons. The major easing of lockdown measures will also see the reopening of theme parks, galleries, hotels, barbers, cinemas and bingo halls.
The prime minister urged the public to head out today to support these businesses, whose workers and their livelihoods depend on the economy getting moving again. Boris Johnson warned people not to get carried away, however.
At a press conference on Friday, the PM asked the public not to “blow” the progress England has made and deployed the government’s new slogan of “enjoy summer safely”. He said:
We’re making progress, we aimed for July the 4th, we wanted to set ourselves a target, we think we’re in good shape but my message is: let’s not blow it.
England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said the pandemic “is a long way from gone” as he urged the public to follow social distancing rules as guidance is eased.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, also warned of the danger of the “superspreading” of Covid-19 occurring in pubs.
Whitty told the conference:
None of us believe, and I’m sure nobody watching this believes, this is a risk-free next step. It is absolutely not, that is why we have to be really serious about it.
There’s no doubt these are environments whose principal job it is to bring people together, that’s a great thing to do socially but it’s also a great thing from the virus’s point of view.
Therefore, we do have to have a really clear and really disciplined approach to try and maintain social distancing whilst also enjoying pubs.
Though physical distancing advice isn’t written into law, the government is strongly urging people to stick to the 1-metre plus rule, wear face masks, sit side by side rather than opposite, and wash hands regularly. There doesn’t seem to be any legal requirement to provide names and contact details to venue owners when you visit (for contact tracing purposes), though some establishments are actively encouraging this.
Also as of today, people in England can meet in groups of no more than six people outside, and two households inside, and overnight stays are now permitted, providing physical distancing is maintained. Weddings of up to 30 guests can now go ahead.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the day unfolds. With cold weather and drizzle predicted, how far will people hold back or venture out to some degree of a return to “normal life”?
Please feel free to get in touch with me throughout the day as I work to share tips, and do send in pictures and your own experiences if you venture out to do any of the above – and do be safe!
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.com
Twitter: @lucy_campbell_
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