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UK eases coronavirus lockdown, reopening non-essential retail shops and restaurants

April 13, 2021
As part of the move, restaurants and pubs can now serve customers outside despite forecasts of wintry temperatures, bringing some cheer to the hard-hit hospitality industry after repeated closures. — Courtesy photo
As part of the move, restaurants and pubs can now serve customers outside despite forecasts of wintry temperatures, bringing some cheer to the hard-hit hospitality industry after repeated closures. — Courtesy photo



LONDON — The United Kingdom eased coronavirus lockdown measures on Monday, allowing non-essential retail shops and restaurants to partially reopen.

The move comes as the UK prepares to chart a course to return to a normal life.

As part of the move, restaurants and pubs can now serve customers outside despite forecasts of wintry temperatures, bringing some cheer to the hard-hit hospitality industry after repeated closures.

Also able to reopen are barbers and hairdressers, where demand is high for long overdue trims more than three months after the latest stay-at-home order was imposed.

A surge of shoppers is expected at stores in the non-essential retail sector as outlets try to recoup heavy COVID-19 losses.

Indoor gyms, swimming pools, libraries and zoos have also been given the go-ahead to open their doors, as have self-catering domestic holidays, where bookings have soared.

Mosques were also preparing for the start of Ramadan, a year after the Muslim holy month was observed without traditional community gatherings.

The resumption of Ramadan prayers, even with some social distancing measures, could give worshipers "a renewed optimism", said the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the easing of restrictions "a major step forward in our roadmap to freedom".

"I'm sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else it's a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed." — Agencies


April 13, 2021
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