UK pubs, barbers reopen for first time in months

Pubs across England reopened Saturday, alongside hair salons and movie theatres, as part of Britain’s biggest step toward post-outbreak normal.

Many people relished the easing of restrictions on public life that had shuttered UK restaurants and bars, although a trade group estimated that only about half of England's pubs elected to open on the first possible day.

Leanne Griffin, the owner of a gin-selling van in east London, said it was "nice to be interacting with people."

"It's not about going wild, going out all night. I think it's a balance," she added.

The British government has been accused of being reckless in allowing pubs to open again, given coronavirus infection and death rates are still high.

Critics have pointed to the experience elsewhere in Europe and in some US states, where the reopening of bars and restaurants is blamed for a spike in infections from patrons losing their inhibitions among strangers and abandoning social distancing after imbibing a few drinks.

The UK has recorded nearly 44,000 virus-related deaths, third behind the United States and Brazil.

The pandemic has been an existential threat to most of England's 37,500 pubs.

They have benefited from government measures, notably a wage support scheme that prevented mass firings.

Around 90% of pub staff were furloughed under the scheme, according to the Beer and Pub Association.