The easing of rules means non-essential shops, hairdressers, outdoor hospitality venues, nail salons, libraries, gyms and other outdoor attractions are now allowed to reopen to the public. The relaxations have seen people flock back to beer gardens and wait patiently in seemingly endless queues for some much needed retail therapy in celebration of their new-found freedom. Here’s a look at how the easing of restrictions was marked across England on 12 April.
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England enjoyed its next step towards freedom as restrictions eased on 12 April (Photo: Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
. Non-esential shops
Non-essentials stores reopened in England on 12 April, with thousands of shoppers flocking to retail outlets across the country, seeing queues form from early in the morning. Photo: Finnbarr Webster
. Primark
Thousands of people flocked to Primark for its grand reopening, with shoppers pictured in huge queues as they waited to be allowed inside in stores around England. Photo: Christopher Furlong
. Beer gardens
Outdoor hospitality venues welcomed customers back on 12 April, with punters pictured enjoying a pub pint for the first time in months. Photo: Finnbarr Webster
5. Hairdressers
Hairdressers were packed on Monday as people sought-out a haircut after almost four months of closures. Photo: Cameron Smith
6. Nail salons
Customers sit behind protective screens at a nail bar in Liverpool, as salons reopen for beauty treatments. Photo: OLI SCARFF
7. Outdoor hospitality
People braved the chilly temperatures to enjoy some al fresco dining as pubs and restaurants reopened their outdoor spaces to the public. Photo: TOLGA AKMEN
8. Gyms
Fitness fans wasted no time getting back on the machines as indoor gyms reopened for people to use on their own, or with other members of their household. Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS