The Papers: \'End of hibernation\' as scientists urge caution

Newspaper headlines: 'End of hibernation' as scientists urge caution

By BBC News Staff
The Times front page 24.06.20
Image caption It's no surprise that nearly all Wednesday's papers lead on the sweeping relaxation of lockdown in England, announced on Tuesday by the prime minister. "Hibernation at an end," is the headline on several broadsheets, including the Times. It reports pubs, hairdressers, restaurants and cinemas can reopen on 4 July if they're deemed to be safe.
The Guardian front page 24.06.20
Image caption The Guardian says the scientists flanking Boris Johnson at the final daily Downing Street briefing "sounded notes of caution" with Prof Chris Whitty saying the move was "not risk-free". Mr Johnson also said he would take the blame if the latest loosening of rules led to a resurgence of cases, it reports.
The Daily Telegraph front page 24.06.20
Image caption "So we gingerly get back to normal," says the Daily Telegraph's associate editor Camilla Tominey. However, the paper reports gyms, swimming pools, nightclubs, indoor sports facilities and concert venues still have no date for reopening. And the public was told they must still work from home and avoid public transport if they can.
The Daily Express front page 24.06.20
Image caption "Cheers Boris!" is the headline on the Daily Express front page, as it says the prime minister "gave the nation some much-needed cheer" by axing most of the lockdown rules. The paper says the announcement came more than 100 days after the country was first ordered to close down.
The Metro front page 24.06.20
Image caption The Metro features a picture of a bar worker in a plastic visor serving drinks, alongside the headline "Get the beers in!" It reports the number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus rose by 17 to 42,927.
The Daily Mail front page 24.06.20
Image caption "Summer's back on!" says the Daily Mail. But it reports Mr Johnson warned that ministers "will not hesitate to apply the brakes and reintroduce restrictions, even at a national level".
The Daily Star front page 24.06.20
Image caption The Daily Star leads on a dispatch from its "slightly sunburned reporter" in Spain, who says Britons face "an el of a fight for sun loungers" after space on beaches was cut to meet new coronavirus social distancing rules.
Financial Times front page 24.06.20
Image caption The Financial Times leads on the arrest of Wirecard founder Markus Braun. Prosecutors accuse Mr Braun of inflating payment firm Wirecard's finances to make it appear healthier to investors and customers.

"Cheers Boris," "Get the beers in" and "Summer's back on" are the headlines in the Daily Express, Metro and the Daily Mail as all three celebrate the easing of the lockdown in England.

The Express hopes the greater freedoms for people from next month will lead "to a brighter Britain" and provide some "much-needed cheer".

The Metro points out that the changes will allow the prime minister to get his hair cut.

The Mail's tone is cautious as it describes the easing of the lockdown as a "calculated gamble to head off economic disaster". 

The Guardian and the Times choose to highlight the health risk the government is taking by relaxing the 2m social distancing guidance.

The Guardian quotes Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist who advises No 10, as saying the new "one-metre plus" approach runs the risk of "allowing the epidemic to start to regain a foothold".

Image copyright PA Media
Image caption Pubs in England will be able to reopen from 4 July

The Times reveals that Boris Johnson reportedly chose to opt for a more comprehensive reopening of the economy - despite concerns that if it goes wrong it will be harder to discern which changes restarted the epidemic. 

The Financial Times says ministers will now begin a campaign to persuade people that it is safe to go out again. The paper highlights a tweet from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who told his followers that he could not wait to get back to the pub - even though he does not drink.

The FT's editorial says the easing of the lockdown is "a risky awakening" - the government is "walking a tightrope" because these changes must be accompanied by measures to prevent a resurgence of the infection. 

"Farcical," and "water joke" is the Sun's take on the decision to prioritise hairdressers, cinemas and bingo halls over schools, nail bars and swimming pools.

The Daily Telegraph's Camilla Tominey says that keeping nightclubs, gyms and water parks off limits is a demonstration of yet more confusion from the government - which is something she believes has come to characterise Downing Street's coronavirus briefings ever since the "stay home" message was dropped.

'End of hibernation' as scientists urge caution

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The Guardian reports on the "widespread consternation" among some sports that they have not been allowed to restart despite months of intensive planning.

The chief executive of PureGym, Humphrey Cobbold, has questioned the government's priorities - telling the paper "it is a strange war on obesity that sees pubs and restaurants open before gyms".

Swim England has also called on No 10 to reconsider. "Prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's safer to go into a pub than a pool and I'll shut up," is the message from its chief executive Jane Nickerson.

There is widespread criticism of the world number one in men's tennis, Novak Djokovic, after it was revealed he had tested positive for Covid-19.

Image copyright PA Media
Image caption Djokovic, 33, said he was "deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm"

The Guardian says that his stock has "taken a pounding" after his Balkans exhibition tour allowed players to party in "stuffy Belgrade clubs" and ignore social distancing advice.

The Daily Mail's Mike Dickson says Djokovic has "trashed his brand", "battered his reputation" and for once, found himself up against an opponent he could not beat: scientific and medical reality.