Lincolnites grill panel on Question Time

Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12.

The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.

Debenhams especially had a big queue as it got nearer to its 10am reopening time for its final ever closing down sale before it closes permanently later this year.

The queue for Debenhams went round the corner. | Photo: The Lincolnite

Kutz Barber Shop on Newport also had a long line of people eagerly awaiting their lockdown cut in what is expected to be a busy day for hairdressers and barbers in the city.

People were also seen waiting outside barbers including Barbershop By Giovanni on Guildhall Street in Lincoln, and several other barber shops down the lower High Street.

People were also keen to get a lockdown haircut with queues including at Kutz Barber Shop on Newport in Lincoln. | Photo: Daniel Jaines for The Lincolnite

The queue outside Barbershop By Giovanni on Guildhall Street in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite

Primark also had a queue outside, although not to the same huge extent as when it reopened after previous lockdown easing last summer when people were waiting from as early as 6am. The queue didn’t get longer until later this time.

The queue at Primark in Lincoln continued to get longer as the morning went on. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite

Énergie Fitness (Lincoln City) reopened in the Cornhill and reportedly had queues before 6am as gyms welcomed back their customers again.

People are also looking forward to having a pint with friends and family as pubs and bars can serve now customers outside. They will be able to reopen inside from May 17.

Shops in Lincoln are excited to be back open again. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The High Street was quieter before 9am, with less mad rushes this time! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A City Centre Warden on Lincoln High Street as more businesses reopened on April 12. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite

The windows being cleaned at House of Fraser in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

There were 398 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 10 COVID-related deaths last week — a 43% drop in cases and 23% fewer deaths compared to the previous week.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard over the weekend recorded 38 new cases in Lincolnshire, 36 in North Lincolnshire and 16 in North East Lincolnshire.

By April 11, one death had been registered in Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported no deaths over the weekend or last week, compared to five deaths in hospitals being recorded the week before.

Across the weekend, national cases increased to 4,369,775, while deaths rose to 127,087.

England has entered the next stage of its roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, meaning non-essential retail and gyms can reopen, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants for outdoor service only.

From Monday, the retail sector can open its doors for customers once again, less than two weeks after the latest lockdown easing on March 29, which meant outdoor socialising was allowed for up to six people.

Leading scientists have warned that the government is risking a third wave of COVID-19 by easing the lockdown at a time when official data still shows virus hotspots across many parts of the country.

With the UK poised to lift many coronavirus restrictions on Monday, the scientists accuse ministers of abandoning their promises to “follow the data, not dates” in a rush to reopen society and the economy.

Lincolnshire’s COVID cases up to April 11.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Sunday, April 11

Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.

58,634 cases (up 90)

• 40,851 in Lincolnshire (up 38)
• 9,212 in North Lincolnshire (up 36)
• 8,571 in North East Lincolnshire (up 16)

2,181 deaths (up one)

• 1,609 from Lincolnshire (up one)
• 304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,300 hospital deaths (no change)

• 808 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
• 41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

4,369,775 UK cases, 127,087 deaths

DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.

A 32-year-old man has been missing from his home in Boston for over two weeks.

David Brocklesby was last seen at his home in the Lincolnshire town on March 23 and reported missing two days later.

He has medium length light brown hair and is thought to be wearing a black puffer jacket.

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for help to find David and anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting reference number 406 of March 25.