Long queues as high street shops reopen and public returns to zoos and churches

England took a huge step back to normality today as West End stores and shops around the country opened their doors for the first time in nearly three months.

The symbolic return of “non-essential” shopping came on the biggest day yet in the gradual easing of the coronavirus lockdown that has wiped out a quarter of the British economy since March.

In other major developments:

• Many secondary school pupils in years 10 and 12 preparing for GCSE and A-level exams next year returned to their classrooms for the first time.
• Wearing a face covering became mandatory on public transport — but Transport for London and British Transport Police said £100 fines or banning passengers from travelling would be a “last resort” until the new rules became widely known.
• Minister for London Paul Scully said a review of the two-metre rule will take “a matter of weeks”, adding that the Government was not “gold-plating” the social-distancing measure.
• An airline boss today raised hopes that families will be able to go on foreign holidays this summer. EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren stressed the Government was now “working actively” on measures to replace the 14-day quarantine for arrivals in the UK, which aviation chiefs fear will cripple their industry and severely damage the tourism sector. EasyJet today started flying again on a limited number of mainly domestic routes as Europe’s borders were reopened to tourism. Zoos and safari parks welcomed back families, and churches and other places of worship reopened for private prayer this morning.
• In the West End, about a fifth of the number of shoppers that would have been expected before the pandemic were out buying clothes and other goods.

From early this morning, queues quickly formed outside shops including Primark, Nike Town, Zara and Selfridges in Oxford Street after the Government gave them the all-clear to reopen with social-distancing and hygiene measures in place.

Jace Tyrell, chief executive of the New West End Company, which represents traders on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, said: “It’s good that life is coming back. There’s some proper queuing and lots of selfies being taken in the queues. It’s a good atmosphere, there’s a real buzz about it. Long may it continue.

“Everything we hear from Europe suggests that it starts slowly but builds up as days become weeks.”

He added: “The West End’s workers and employers have worked tirelessly to get to today and face a tough climb to make up for 12 weeks of lost sales.

“To compensate for the loss of international visitors we urge the Government to boost domestic trade by looking again at reducing social distancing, reducing taxes and temporarily relaxing planning and licensing regulations.”

Ewan Venters, chief executive of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, which is reopening its non-food departments today, said he expected footfall to quickly build to about 50 per cent of normal numbers.

However, a return to normal will not happen until other West End attractions such as galleries and museums were able to reopen, he said, adding: “It’s going to be a long, slow build but it’s not been a bad start.” Capacity will be limited to 500 shoppers an hour to start with to maintain two-metre social distancing.

This morning, about 100 shoppers queued outside Primark in Marble Arch from 6.30am.

The discount retailer was one of the first shops to open in Oxford Street at 8am, with Selfridges, Debenhams, TopShop, Marks & Spencer and the non-essential counters at Boots following later in the morning.

Outside Primark, most shoppers — mainly younger women and students — wore face masks and stayed two metres apart.

Exactly 661 people were allowed in to the store at one time. On entry, everyone was asked to sanitise their hands, with hundreds of staff stationed throughout the store to ferry shoppers in a certain direction to ensure social distancing. Till staff were protected with newly installed screens.

Alexandra Catalini, Tina Wootabi and Ines Costa, all 17, wanted to get their hands on “pyjamas and other essentials”.

Ms Wootabi, from north-west London, said: “This is the first time we have seen each other in three months and we cannot wait to shop. We have missed shopping so much.”

The teenager added: “I have my masks and my gloves. I’m not worried.”

Scarlet Martin, 28, picked up a new handbag and some “summer essentials”. “I wasn’t worried about going in. The staff were great but it was other people that were the problem. A lot of people didn’t seem that worried about social distancing so I’d have to wait for them to move on from a certain area.”

Lauren Hyka, 18, was with school friend Natasha Mendes, 18. The pair left with large bags of summer clothing, T-shirts and makeup.

“I got lots because I don’t plan coming back,” Ms Mendes said. “I have really missed shopping but it did feel weird being around lots of people.

“I have a mask but I didn’t wear it. It felt calm and safe in there and people were distanced.”

About 400 people queued outside Nike Town in Oxford Circus ready for opening at 10am.

Shoppers pushed and shoved each other out of the way to be the first in, with security then limiting groups to about 10 entering at one time.

A witness said: “It was mainly ‘lads’ pushing at the front. Shoving each other. There were some fists. There were maybe 400 people here in line before 10am.” Pre-booked tickets were sold out for the first day of reopening at London Zoo, with 2,000 visitors able to return to one of the capital’s most popular attractions. A one-way system was in place and catering outlets were takeaway only and all payments contactless. Some indoor exhibits, including the Reptile House and Bugs House, will remain closed for now.