Coronavirus news: Packed scenes spark concern as pubs reopen across England and holiday makers flock to coast
The latest updates from Saturday 4 July
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Your support makes all the difference.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 the resumption of normal life after the coronavirus lockdown.
Some pubs started serving from 6 am, sparking worries of over-indulgence, while a number of hairdressers were reported to have opened at the stroke of midnight.
In Spain, more than 200,000 people in the north-eastern region of Catalonia were sent back into lockdown after several new outbreaks of the coronavirus were detected.
Portugal being left off England's safe travel list 'absurd', says minister
Portugal has expressed fury at England’s decision to maintain quarantine rules for travellers coming from the country despite the UK having a higher death toll.
In a tweet, the Portuguese foreign affairs minister branded it “absurd” that Portugal had been left off the new list despite the UK having 28 times more confirmed deaths related to coronavirus.
Mediterranean holiday destinations could see 'big flare ups', says expert
Britain’s favourite holiday destinations could become “melting pots” for coronavirus once the 14-day travel quarantine is lifted, a public health expert has warned.
Professor Gabriel Scally, a member of the Independent Sage group, said he would not be surprised to see “some really big flare ups” in tourist resorts around the world over the next two months.
Labour leader gets in line for haircut
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has shared a photograph of himself having a haircut on Saturday morning.
"Finally!" he tweeted. "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."
Global cases top 11 million
Global coronavirus cases exceeded 11 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.
Russia has reported 6,632 new cases of the novel coronavirus, raising its nationwide tally of infections to 674,515.
'Eat out to help out'
Rishi Sunak has urged Britain to “eat out to help out” in a bid to boost the economy as it emerges from a lockdown slump.
The chancellor said he was “worried about a generation that is scarred by coronavirus” amid reports of job losses across the UK.
Pub drinkers in Sheffield toast end to lockdown
Ten in the morning on Super Saturday and, in Sheffield’s most central Wetherspoon pub, Connor Bowling and his two mates are already three pints deep, Full English full and considering a round of Jägermeister shots, writes Colin Drury.
“It’s early, aye, but why not?” the 23-year-old gas engineer says. “It’s been a long three months.”
Thus begins the much-anticipated day on which, to paraphrase the prime minister, English people regained their ancient unalienable right to go out and get smashed.
Restaurants that don't make customers feel safe 'will fail'
The boss of restaurant chain Yo! Sushi has warned restaurants that don’t make customers feel safe as lockdown restrictions ease “will fail”.
In light of the reopening of restaurants across the nation, which were previously only allowed to serve customers via takeaway, Yo! Sushi chief executive Richard Hodgson has stressed the importance of making customers feel secure as operations resume.
Prince Charles expresses admiration for hospitality workers
Prince Charles has expressed his admiration for hospitality workers as businesses reopen, saying he hopes the “entrepreneurial spirit” of the sector will ensure a “brighter” future.
He today issued a statement of support, saying it is “exceptionally welcome news that hotels, restaurants and pubs are to begin opening their doors”.
Florida coronavirus cases surge by record number
Florida's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by a record 11,458 today, the state's health department said.
This is the second time in three days that the state's caseload increased by more than 10,000.
Motorways packed as holidaymakers flock to South West
(Donna Williams)
Roads in the South West have been "very, very busy" today as holidaymakers flock to the region to enjoy the eased lockdown restrictions.
Traffic cameras and images posted on social media show 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.
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, use your headlights and ensure you check your caravan before your journey as many have been laid up for a long time."
One Twitter user, Jay Leake, posted an image of Taunton Deane Services on the M5 southbound, showing lines of cars with caravans attached at 5.30am.
"The volume of traffic including caravans overnight has been worse than a bank holiday," he wrote.
Donna Williams described traffic on the M5 southbound towards Devon and Cornwall as "chaos".
Another Twitter user said they had counted more than 20 caravans heading to Cornwall on the A30 between 1.15 and 1.30pm.
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