People Hopeful Of 'Best Summer Ever' After Boris Johnson's Roadmap Announcement

After today's lockdown 'roadmap' announcement, people are hopeful that summer 2021 will be the 'best ever'.

This afternoon (22 February), Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the government's plan to end lockdown in England, with a four-phase approach seeing restrictions potentially lifted by 21 June.

And if all goes to plan, and we are finally able to see our friends and family again - and indeed get back to the pub - people are saying this summer will be one to remember.

Following the announcement, one optimistic Brit said: "So amazing seeing what that news has done to everyone's moods. Summer 2021 baby."

Another echoed: "2021 summer is gonna be f***ing amazing."

While a third person added: "My mood has significantly changed in the past few hours. Summer 2021 is going to be the best summer we've ever had."

Laying out the 'roadmap', Mr Johnson explained the four staggered phases that will see the country out of its third national lockdown, which came into effect on 6 January, by the middle of the end of June.

Step One will begin from 8 March, when schools will open and people will be able to meet outdoors recreationally with one person from another household.

From 29 March, the rule of six will apply outdoors between two households and outdoor sport will return.

Step Two will commence from 12 April at the earliest, at which point outdoor hospitality, gyms, libraries, all retail, and outdoor attractions can reopen.

Step Three will begin no earlier than 17 May and will allow groups of up to 30 to meet outdoors, cinemas to reopen and organised indoor sport to recommence. International travel will also be allowed.

Step Four will begin no earlier than 21 June, at which point there will be no legal limits on social contact, enabling nightclubs to reopen and large events to go ahead.

PA

According to experts, when restrictions are finally lifted, and people are allowed to mingle with their pals, no longer having to worry about keeping their distance, there will be period of renewed liberalism.

Epidemiologist Dr Nicholas Christakis laid out his vision of the decade ahead of us in his new book, Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live.

But don't get too excited, it will take a bit of time.

Dr Christakis says it won't be until 2024 that the roaring 2020s get properly going, as when religiosity and conservatism erodes - both of which he says have been prevalent during previous pandemics - a period of free spending and 'sexual licentiousness' will set in.

He said: "In 2024, all of those [pandemic trends] will be reversed. People will relentlessly seek out social interactions."

Topics: covid, World News, lockdown, UK politics, Pandemic, Pubs, Coronavirus, Politics, Health, Covid-19

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom