'End of hibernation': what the papers say about England's lockdown easing | Newspapers | The Guardian

The UK newspapers all looked at the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England. Composite: VariousView image in fullscreenThe UK newspapers all looked at the easing of coronavirus

restrictions in England. Composite: VariousNewspapers This article is more than 4 years old'End of hibernation': what the papers say about England's lockdown easingThis article is more than

4 years old

Front pages seek to balance relief with the dangers that coronavirus still poses

Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverageGraham RussellWed 24 Jun 2020 02.54 CESTLast modified on Wed 1 Jul 2020 18.16 CESTShare A combination of sunny weather and the

approaching relaxation of coronavirus lockdown rules in England has led to jubilation on some front pages today, as others mark the start of the end of “our long national hibernation”.

“Summer’s back on!” says the Daily Mail, and quotes Boris Johnson urging people to get out and enjoy themselves. It notes, however, the move is a “calculated gamble to head off economic

disaster”.

Wednesday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/6s2AUncQhc

— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) June 23, 2020 The Express takes a similar tack. It uses a picture of the prime minister with beer held aloft alongside the headline: “Cheers Boris! Here’s to

a brighter Britain”. It tempers the joy with a message across the top: “PM: we’re coming out of hibernation but virus still a risk”. Metro also uses the pub theme with “Get the beers in”.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: Daily Express Wednesday's front page:GET THEBEERS IN! #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/Hv9RTXYoCX

— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) June 23, 2020 The Sun says: “Vast orders” along with a picture showing lots of beer. It reports people are getting ready for “super Saturday” when pubs

will open

View image in fullscreen Photograph: The Sun The prime minister’s “hibernation” comment was the pick of the rest of the papers.

The Guardian balances the relief with the still-serious dangers the virus poses. “PM hails ‘end of hibernation’ – but scientists urge caution” is the headline, beside a grim-faced Johnson

delivering the news of the “one-metre plus” rules coming in on 4 July.

Guardian front page, 24 June 2020: PM hails 'end of hibernation' – but scientists urge caution pic.twitter.com/DMCWIPSIcP

— The Guardian (@guardian) June 23, 2020 The Telegraph quotes Johnson for its headline: “Our hibernation is beginning to end, the bustle is coming back”. Underneath, a comment piece by

associate editor Camilla Tominey is headlined: “So we gingerly get back to normal – in a world that is anything but”.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:'Our hibernation is beginning to end, the bustle is coming back'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eZPalq1XFj

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 23, 2020 The Times has a straightforward: “Hibernation at an end” and a handy box of the incoming guidelines at a glance. It also joins other papers in

looking at the life and death of film financier Steve Bing.

View image in fullscreen Photograph: The Times The Mirror appears more discombobulated than celebratory in its treatment of the guidelines. “Life … but not as we know it”, is the headline

above “Britain unlocked”.

Tomorrow's front page: Life...But not as we know it #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/4OW5qYIroV pic.twitter.com/KJKjv5eNnV

— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 23, 2020 The FT gives the bottom half of its front to the coronavirus news. “Johnson gives green light to reopen pubs despite “great worries” of chief

adviser,” is their headline but the main story is about the arrest of former Wirecard CEO Markus Braun on suspicion of falsifying accounts.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Wednesday June 24 https://t.co/ArUN6MwSQo pic.twitter.com/l7eVo6QHkl

— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 23, 2020 Virus-wise in Scotland, the National reports on anger at BBC Scotland for cutting off the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, in order to

receive an update on the virus in England.

Tomorrow's front page: Ex-Labour MP and Yes Scotland chair on hownew poll shows Labour voters are turning to independence + fury after BBC Scotland cuts off FM pic.twitter.com/f1yYvcFBSU

— The National (@ScotNational) June 23, 2020 The Herald reports on the two-metre rule staying in place in Scotland. Sturgeon has said she will be able to give “more clarity” later this week

on a timeline for the next steps out of lockdown.

Wednesday's front page of The Herald.#TomorrowsPapersToday #scotpapers pic.twitter.com/NTVkqb1K3i

— HeraldScotland (@heraldscotland) June 23, 2020 The Scotsman says the country will follow the example of nations such as Australia and scrap social distancing measures between pupils in

schools.

Social distancing set to be scrapped for pupils to enable a return to fulltime schooling in August. Tomorrow’s @TheScotsman front page. #TomorrowsPapersToday #scotpapers

pic.twitter.com/yyZcPi00bm

— Euan McGrory (@EuanMc) June 23, 2020Explore more on these topicsNewspapersNewspapers & magazinesCoronavirusBoris JohnsonnewsShareReuse this content