UK lockdown measures ‘will be eased’ just in time for Pride, optimistic reports suggest
A view of the parade during Pride in London 2019 (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride in London)
Pride season could be on the horizon once again with ministers considering proposals to reopen hospitality venues before the second week of June, early reports suggest.
The LGBT+ community was dealt a heavy blow last year after more than 500 Pride celebrations around the world were cancelled or postponed, many for the first time since they began.
But 2021 looks like it’ll be a lot more colourful as the UK government discusses early plans to begin reopening the economy in April, with a view to reopening the economy under “normal” rules by the first week of July.
According to The Telegraph, ministers are keen to reopen hospitality venues in some capacity before the G7 summit, which is due to be held in the UK in the second week of June.
Boris Johnson is planning to host several world leaders, including president Joe Biden, at a famous beauty spot in Cornwall – and it seems he’s determined for coronavirus restrictions to be lifted in time for their arrival.
But with cases currently remaining high, sources suggested Britain will likely face a three-month lockdown “halfway house” after Easter.
After this it’s thought we’ll see similar restrictions to those in place over the summer, including the “rule of six” and social distancing measures in pubs and restaurants.
A “return to full normality” will be delayed for at least 12 to 14 weeks to allow all over-50s to have their second dose of the vaccine, the paper was told, with national measures eased in advance of the summit.
This would allow pubs, restaurants and tourism to begin trading again as normal – just in time for Pride.
Downing Street distanced itself from the proposals on Sunday (24 January), with a spokesperson for Number 10 saying: “It’s not a timetable under discussion.”
But hospitality bosses have cautiously welcomed the prospective plans, while many Pride events remain on standby to see how the pandemic progresses.
