What UK will look like as lockdown eased and shops braced for BBQ and booze spike

Shops are braced for a spike in sales of food and booze as the heatwave and easing of lockdown rules looks set to spark a barbecue frenzy.

Temperatures are expected to hit 25C and up to six people can get together in public from Monday.

But doctors warned Brits to continue social distancing in a bid to prevent a second Covid-19 wave.

After more than two months of separation, Brits are preparing for a string of get-togethers as lockdown rules are eased.

And with temperatures expected to hot up, shops were braced for a spike in barbecue food and alcohol.

Groups of up to six people from different households in England can meet up from next week, providing they can maintain social distancing.

The Co-op has predicted it will sell 3.3million cans and bottles of lager and more than a million salad bags.

The store’s Mel Matson said: ­“ Coronavirus concerns are leading to more customers using convenience stores and this coupled with the heatwave will see more people stock up on outside eating items following the relaxation of the new rules.”

Shore Capital retail analyst Clive Black added: “It is significant, ­especially given the backdrop of the glorious weather and the fact people have been cooped up.”

Outdoor markets and car ­showrooms can also reopen – but the majority of shops will remain closed until mid-June.

Reception, Year One and Year Six pupils will be allowed back in class, although some councils are still refusing to open schools just yet.

Pubs were due to reopen in July but that may be sooner. Cinemas could begin screenings again from July 4.

Garden Parties

• Groups of up to six people can meet outdoors in England from Monday, provided strict social-distancing guidelines are followed and they stay two metres apart.
• This includes gardens and other private outdoor spaces.
• People should not spend time inside the homes of their friends and families, other than to access the garden or use the toilet.
• Experts advise those planning to host a barbecue to ask guests to bring their own condiments, cutlery and plates to reduce the risk of virus transmission through touching the same surfaces – and having only one person using the tongs.
• Also suggests serving food on plates from a distance rather than approaching the grill, setting out seats in advance for people to sit two metres apart and sitting alongside rather than face to face.
• The Government has to review the lockdown restrictions every three weeks – the next one is on Thursday, June 18.

Schools

• Reception, Years 1 and 6 back to some schools in England from Monday. Classes limited to 15. Desks far apart as possible.
• Teachers’ leaders warn it will be almost impossible to enforce social distancing among very young kids.
• There will be staggered drop-off and collection times to cut congestion.
• Some councils are refusing to reopen schools, prompting a stand-off with the Department for Education. Sheffield city council is the latest authority to advise against the partial restart.
• Downing Street suggested teachers and other staff who refuse to turn up over safety concerns will be a matter for headteachers. Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “Headteachers I’m sure will be having conversations with their own staff. The Education Secretary has been working very closely with schools and unions for the last 10 weeks. Our approach throughout this has been to work closely with schools, heads, and teachers’ representatives to ensure a cautious and phased return in a safe way.”
• Parents who are too afraid to send their children back to classes will not face fines.
• On 15 June, secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges will begin to provide face-to-face contact time for Year 10 and 12 and groups in further education.

Shops

• Garden centres now allowed to open with strict social distancing measures. Their cafes remain closed.
• Dunelm, DFS and Furniture Village stores have already reopened. Ikea to reopen 19 stores on Monday.
• Car showrooms and outdoor markets can reopen from Monday.
• All other non-essential shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, books, and electronics, plus indoor markets, can reopen on June 15 if deemed safe to do so.
• Boots set to reopen beauty counters from same date but with “no contact” advice and staff wearing PPE.
• Not all stores will reopen, with Next prioritising out-of-town branches.
• No date set for hairdressers to reopen. Number of chains aiming for July 4 but could be moved forward to June.

Pubs

• Pubs and bars were due to reopen on July 4, but may be allowed to reopen next month as Boris Johnson suggested experts were close to a solution to stop the virus spreading in bars.
• Those with outdoor seating will be able to reopen first. Pub beer gardens could operate with drinkers ordering via their phones and table-service only.
• Some pubs are already offering takeaway-only services.
• Wetherspoons is investing £11million to ensure staff and customers are safe in its 875 pubs across the UK – with staff being temperature-checked before shifts and provided with protective equipment, including gloves, face masks and eyewear.
• Screens and floor markings will be in place along with one-way systems in and out of premises.

Takeaways

• McDonald’s is gradually reopening, beginning with drive-thru lanes at 39 restaurants and a reduced menu. All 1,019 outlets across the UK are due to open by June 4, but limited to delivery and drive-thru.
• Nando’s has reopened 94 restaurants for collection and deliveries.
• Burger King has reopened about 50 outlets on a drive-thru basis and for deliveries.
• KFC has passed 500 reopenings.
• After successful trial in the North East, Greggs is to open around 800 stores across the UK from about June 18 for takeaways, click and collect and deliveries with Just Eat.
• Pret A Manger is aiming to reopen another 204 shops for takeaway and delivery from Monday, taking its openings across the UK to more than 300 outlets.

Shielding

• Those deemed to be clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 include patients with cancers, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and people such as transplant recipients on immunosuppressant drugs.
• They have already been asked not to leave their homes. They are required to minimise non-essential contact with household members.
• The 2.2 million in this group have been left in the dark about when they will be able to come out of lockdown.The Government is asking them to avoid all human contact for at least another month.
• They are advised to spend time in the garden or keep windows open, do exercise, eat a good diet and stay in touch with friends and family as much as possible.

Entertainment

• The National Trust has already opened more than 200 coast and countryside car parks - some you need to book. From June 3 it will open 38 gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland, allowing reduced numbers in. You must book your visit in advance via  nationaltrust.org.uk. Each Friday new booking slots will be released.
• Cinemas could reopen from July 4 but this hasn’t been confirmed. Cineworld, Odeon and Vue cinema chains have all announced they will be ready to reopen in July, once Government restrictions related to cinemas are lifted. There will be additional health and safety measures to ensure a safe environment for staff and visitors.
• Theme parks hope to reopen in July but this hasn’t been confirmed. They will have to follow strict guidelines including keeping middle seats empty on rides. Thorpe Park says it is “absolutely” ready to welcome guests but is currently asking those with bookings up to July 3 to re-book for a later date.

Holidays

• No restrictions on how far we can travel for outdoor activities but people must not travel with someone from outside their household and can’t stay overnight at another home or in holiday lodgings. This includes cottages,
  B&Bs and hotels.
• Camping and caravan sites are expected to be the first overnight accommodations to be opened, while hotels and holiday resorts may start to reopen in July.

• Travel bans in place globally and we are urged not to take non-essential foreign travel. Although some countries are beginning to ease restrictions.
• Plans for 14-day quarantines on people arriving into the UK from June 8 could make jetting off on holiday less appealing if people then have to stay home for 14 days.