Bookshops could reopen 'at end of March'

Non-essential retailers in England could reopen as early as the end of March as part of an easing of lockdown restrictions, it has been reported.

Briefings to national newspapers over the weekend suggested Prime Minister Boris Johnson will start to lift restrictions in a phased approach from next month.

Under the plan, schools are expected to be the first places to reopen on 8th March, followed by non-essential retail and the hospitality industry, provided Covid-19 infections continue to fall.

According to the i newspaper, an “acceptable” level of the R rate could see non-essential retailers, which includes bookshops, start to reopen by the end of March—ending around three months of lockdown. Pubs and hospitality could begin to reopen from the Easter weekend, the paper said.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to announce his roadmap out of lockdown on 22nd February.