Chilly weather doesn’t dampen UK joy at lockdown easing
Chilly weather doesn’t dampen UK joy at lockdown easing
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Children visit the penguins at London Zoo in Regent’s Park, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
A waitress looks at her customers as they sit outside a cafe while preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Blankets and heaters are made ready as preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
People enjoy a drink at Borough Market in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A queue grows big as people wait to enter a Nike Town shop on Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
People get their hair cut at a busy hairdressers in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Early morning shoppers in Oxford Street, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
A man stops by a shop window in Regent street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Early morning shoppers in Birmingham, England, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
A worker cleans a Selfridges department store shop window on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Women carrying shopping bags walk past a shop window in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
People queue to enter Selfridges department store on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Staf works on the display window of a shop in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A worker mops a building entrance on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Magdelaine Gibson of Secret Spa sprays a client just after midnight at her home in London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Kirsty O’Connor/PA via AP)
People queue outside a trainers shop waiting for it to open at Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Women carrying shopping bags walk on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Lord Mayor of London William Russell gets his hair cut by Ali Baltar, owner of the Grooming Lounge in the City of London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Children visit the penguins at London Zoo in Regent’s Park, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
Children visit the penguins at London Zoo in Regent’s Park, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
A waitress looks at her customers as they sit outside a cafe while preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A waitress looks at her customers as they sit outside a cafe while preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Blankets and heaters are made ready as preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Blankets and heaters are made ready as preparations get underway in the Soho area of London, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
Customers sit outside a restaurant in Liverpool, Monday, April 12, 2021, as restaurants, bars and pubs can open and serve people who can be seated outside. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its coronavirus lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo Jon Super)
People enjoy a drink at Borough Market in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
People enjoy a drink at Borough Market in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A queue grows big as people wait to enter a Nike Town shop on Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A queue grows big as people wait to enter a Nike Town shop on Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
People get their hair cut at a busy hairdressers in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
People get their hair cut at a busy hairdressers in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Early morning shoppers in Oxford Street, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
Early morning shoppers in Oxford Street, London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)
A man stops by a shop window in Regent street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A man stops by a shop window in Regent street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Early morning shoppers in Birmingham, England, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
Early morning shoppers in Birmingham, England, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
A worker cleans a Selfridges department store shop window on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A worker cleans a Selfridges department store shop window on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Women carrying shopping bags walk past a shop window in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Women carrying shopping bags walk past a shop window in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
People queue to enter Selfridges department store on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
People queue to enter Selfridges department store on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Staf works on the display window of a shop in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Staf works on the display window of a shop in Oxford street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A worker mops a building entrance on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A worker mops a building entrance on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Magdelaine Gibson of Secret Spa sprays a client just after midnight at her home in London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Kirsty O’Connor/PA via AP)
Magdelaine Gibson of Secret Spa sprays a client just after midnight at her home in London, Monday April 12, 2021. Millions of people in Britain will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (Kirsty O’Connor/PA via AP)
People queue outside a trainers shop waiting for it to open at Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
People queue outside a trainers shop waiting for it to open at Oxford Street in London, early Monday morning, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Women carrying shopping bags walk on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Women carrying shopping bags walk on Oxford Street in London, Monday, April 12, 2021. Millions of people in England will get their first chance in months for haircuts, casual shopping and restaurant meals on Monday, as the government takes the next step on its lockdown-lifting road map. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON (AP) — People across Britain flocked to shed shaggy locks and browse for clothes, books and other “non-essential” items as shops, gyms, hairdressers, restaurant patios and beer gardens reopened Monday after months of lockdown.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to “behave responsibly” as the country that has had Europe’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak took a big step on its roadmap toward a resumption of normal life.
Monday brought the easing of restrictions that have been in place in England since early January to suppress a surge in infections linked to a more transmissible new virus variant first identified in the southeast of the country.
Long lines formed outside some stores, including a branch of Nike Town on London’s busy Oxford Street, and pubs and restaurants with outdoor space reported a flood of bookings.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said businesses that have endured months of enforced closure were “excited and desperate” to welcome customers back.
At a hairdresser in Birmingham, customer Amy Smith said she was thrilled to be getting a trim at last.
“It’s great to be here, I’ve been going with this weird little topknot for a few months now,” she said. “I’m going to a go to a beer garden experience later, so it’s going to be good.”
Many people were planning outdoor meals and drinks, despite unseasonably cold weather that brought springtime snow flurries to many areas — including, briefly, London.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said Monday’s opening for outdoor service was “a first small step in a very long journey to recovery” for the “Great British pub.”
Across the country, hardy pub-goers ordered pints on patios and in beer gardens despite the chilly weather.
“Absolutely delicious,” said Pippa Ingram, as she tasted her first drink alongside a hot breakfast at the Royal Victoria Pavilion pub in the seaside town of Ramsgate, southeast England. “That is banging,” she said appreciatively.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are following distinct but broadly similar plans to ease lockdown.
Britain has had Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak, with more than 127,000 confirmed deaths.
Infections, hospitalizations and deaths have all fallen thanks to the lockdown, and a mass vaccination program that has given at least one dose to more than 60% of the adult population.
The situation in Britain stands in contrast to many of its neighbors, including France, where new lockdowns have been introduced to combat surging infections and deaths.
Johnson and epidemiologists have urged caution, saying that many people remain unvaccinated and relaxing social distancing rules or allowing foreign holidays this summer could bring a new spike in infections.
Indoor drinking and dining won’t be allowed in England until May 17 at the earliest, and theaters, cinemas, nightclubs and most other venues remain closed, while indoor socializing is tightly restricted and foreign holidays remain banned.
The prime minister had promised to visit a pub for a pint to mark the occasion, but postponed the celebratory drink after the death of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, on Friday at age 99.
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