Skip to content

Coronavirus: First day of UK cafe and pub coronavirus shutdown

Britons are spending their weekends away from many public spaces, after the PM ordered cafes, pubs and restaurants to close and urged people to avoid socialising. Here's what it looked like.

News imageGetty Images Two friends enjoy their lunch together at a safe distance in central Leeds on March 21, 2020, a day after the British government said it would help cover the wages of people hit by the coronavirus outbreak as it tightened restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.Getty Images
In central Leeds, two friends enjoyed a fast food lunch together at a safe distance, as takeaways are still allowed to open
News imageReuters Erin Gatling (C) blows out the candles on her 7th birthday cake as she has an impromptu party in her local park after her original party venue was closed amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in ManchesterReuters
Among those whose plans have been disrupted is Erin, 7, who had an impromptu party in her local park in Manchester after her original party venue was closed
News imageGetty Images Birmingham's Bullring shopping centreGetty Images
Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre is usually heaving on a Saturday but was virtually empty
News imageGetty Images Piccadilly Circus in central London is seen at lunch time on March 21, 2020, a day after the British government said it would help cover the wages of people hit by the coronavirus outbreak as it tightened restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.Getty Images
Similarly, Piccadilly Circus in central London - usually busy with tourists and theatre-goers - is quiet
News imageGetty Images A sign saying "Take Away Only" is attached to the window of a cafe in Leeds, northern England on March 21, 2020, a day after the British government said it would help cover the wages of people hit by the coronavirus outbreak as it tightened restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.Getty Images
Cafes - including this one in Leeds - adapt to the takeaway only rule
News imageReuters Workers put up beer menus at the Beartown Brewery drive thru in Congleton as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. CongletonReuters
And workers at a brewery in Congleton create a drive-thru menu to practise social distancing
News imageReuters Taped-off areas for customers distance themselves from each other are seen at the checkout till area of a local Tesco store as the number of coronavirus disease cases (COVID-19) grow around the world, in London, Britain, March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleReuters
Tape is put on the floor at a small Tesco store to mark how far customers should stand apart
News imageReuters People are seen relaxing along the waterfront beside the River Thames, as the number of coronavirus disease cases (COVID-19) grow around the world, Richmond, south west LondonReuters
But some outdoor public spaces remain busy, with people relaxing along the River Thames in south-west London
News imageGetty Images Members of the public queue to get into the Costco store in Glasgow, Scotland before opening on the morning of March 21, 2020, a day after the British government said it would help cover the wages of people hit by the coronavirus outbreak as it tightened restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.Getty Images
Also busy was Costco in Glasgow, where members of the public queued to get in before it opened
News imageGetty Images Graffiti on Brighton beach urging people to stop panic buyingGetty Images
Meanwhile, graffiti on Brighton beach urged people to stop panic buying. "We're hungry," it read
News imageGetty Images In-demand items, including face masks, latex gloves, hand sanitizers, soap and toilet roll are seen on display in a shop window in Brighton, southern England on March 21, 2020Getty Images
Also in Brighton, in-demand items including hand sanitiser and toilet roll are on display
News imageReuters A sign is seen down a London street regarding self isolation as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. London,Reuters
A sign pictured on a street in London offers support to people who are in self-isolation
News imageGetty Images A man in a 17th Century plague doctor"s costume carries a sign in central Leeds on March 21, 2020, a day after the British government said it would help cover the wages of people hit by the coronavirus outbreak as it tightened restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.Getty Images
In Leeds, a man in a 17th Century plague doctor costume carries a sign with a warning
News imagePA Media Horses from Christian Williams" stables in the river next to Ogmore Castle at his yard in Glamorgan. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 21, 2020. All horse racing fixtures in Great Britain have been suspended until the end of April because of the coronavirus outbreak.PA Media
Horses from a racing stables are taken for a ride next to Ogmore Castle in Glamorgan, as all horse racing fixtures are suspended until the end of April

All photographs subject to copyright.