What the papers say – February 22
The front pages splash with the planned return of schools, socialising and some sports next month as part of the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
The Prime Minister will on Monday unveil a road map that uses four tests to assess the impact of each stage out of lockdown in England, according to The Times and Metro, while The Daily Telegraph says Mr Johnson has unveiled the country’s “route to normality”.
THE TIMES: PM sets out four tests for the end of lockdown #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hbFfEOCfST
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 21, 2021
Monday's front page:THE 4 STEPSTO FREEDOM#tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/3vsFCjegfA
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) February 21, 2021
The front page of The Daily Telegraph:
'Stay at home' to be scrapped as PM unveils route to normality #TomorrowsPapersToday
📩Sign up for the Front Page newsletter here https://t.co/tlYMNUKPpj pic.twitter.com/nliXFegNyP
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 21, 2021
The Guardian reports the reopening of shops and hospitality businesses will come after members of the public are allowed social contact with loved ones as part of the easing of pandemic measures.
Guardian front page, Monday 22 February 2021: School sports and social contact first as PM plans to lift lockdown pic.twitter.com/khTszLxIZX
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 21, 2021
The i says the “rule of six” will return from March 29, which is also when outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are set to reopen.
Monday's front page: Outdoor sport and rule of six in March #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/1UVzhFYrsg
— i newspaper (@theipaper) February 21, 2021
The Daily Mirror praises the “Return to the great outdoors” as it reports two people will be permitted to meet in a park for a drink from March 8 and beer gardens are to open in April.
Monday's Front Page: Return to the great outdoors #TomorrowsPapersTodayhttps://t.co/mcHFiJUzc8 pic.twitter.com/Q0f8OeFptW
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) February 21, 2021
The road map will see families reunited at the of March, when they will be allowed to meet in each other’s gardens,The Independent says.
Tomorrow's @independent front page #tomorrowspaperstoday To subscribe to the Daily Edition https://t.co/koJc3LN1ax pic.twitter.com/BG4wsYiZpO
— Thair Shaikh (@ThairShaikh) February 21, 2021
The Sun refers to the PM’s plan as a “March to freedom”, though the Daily Mail classes it as a “Slow march” with “agony” to continue for shops, pubs and salons that remain closed.
THE SUN: March to freedom #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kcFZaDT3NZ
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 21, 2021
MAIL: Slow March to Freedom #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/R0Qe27tlnu
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 21, 2021
“We’ll take it one careful step at a time”, Mr Johnson will say when he unveils the road map, according to the Daily Express.
EXPRESS: @BorisJohnson : We’ll take it one careful step at a time #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eWlo8PuW4Y
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 21, 2021
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports bank HSBC is accelerating its “pivot to Asia” by moving top executives from London to Hong Kong, withdrawing from retail banking in the US and planning its Singapore expansion.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Monday February 22 https://t.co/Oti9eWmYTK pic.twitter.com/rBlduRXaEI
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) February 21, 2021
And the Daily Star claims the PM’s “randy” dog Dilyn upset former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings by “humping his leg”.
Tomorrow's front page: Boris dog gives Dom the hump! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/7jhKrWVltd
— Daily Star (@dailystar) February 21, 2021