(Adds comments from people in barber shops)
By Ben Dangerfield and Natalie Thomas
LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) - People relished their first pub
drinks in more than three months, went to restaurants and
finally got haircuts on Saturday as England took its biggest
steps yet towards resumption of normal life after the
coronavirus lockdown.
Some pubs started serving from 6 a.m., sparking worries of
over-indulgence on what the media dubbed a "Super Saturday" of
restrictions being eased. Some hairdressers were reported to
have opened at the stroke of midnight.
"It's beautiful just to get back and have a pint," said Jim
Martin, a 56-year old carpenter enjoying a drink at The Holland
Tringham pub in south London, part of the JD Wetherspoon
chain. It opened at 8 a.m. and was about three quarters full by
11.20 a.m.
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 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 -
and is now anxious to get the battered economy moving again.
THE JOY OF A HAIRCUT
Men queuing for haircuts and busy hairdressing salons were a
common sight across the country.
At Savvas Barbers in Streatham, south London, healthcare
assistant Benjamin Prior, 31, said he normally gets a cut every
month but has had to wait four months.
"It’s just brilliant to finally get a new haircut now, it’s
the length I want, short as possible," he said.
Mark Lewis a 52-year old translator, welcomed the lockdown's
easing.
"It’s enjoyable to have a haircut but it’s also nice to feel
smart again," he said.
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
restrictions.
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 rainy, windy weather.
Johnson called on people to behave responsibly and respect
social distancing regulations as the risk of a resurgence of the
coronavirus remains. He also stressed the importance of
supporting businesses.
"We must not let them down," he said at a news conference on
Friday.
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.
($1 = 0.8011 pounds)
(Reporting by Ben Dangerfield and Natalie Thomas, Writing by
James Davey
Editing by Stephen Addison and Frances Kerry)
Wetherspoon (J.D) (JDW)
