Mini heatwave to hit UK - what can you do under lockdown?

Britain is set for a “mini heatwave” that will see temperatures hit the mid-20s in the coming days, according to forecasters.

The mercury is expected to rise from 20C up to a peak of 27C in London by the middle of the week, the Met Office says.

Indeed, Wednesday is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, with parts of the UK “warmer than holiday destinations in Europe including Ibiza and Marbella”, The Independent reports.

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The fine weather offers a “good excuse for Brits to make the most of unlimited exercise and sunbathing opportunities”, says The Sun, while The Independent adds that it will also test “the country’s resolve as people are asked to maintain two-metre social distancing and avoid crowded outdoor spaces”.

Although lockdown restrictions have been eased to allow more time outdoors “for leisure purposes”, and “unlimited” outdoor exercise, people are still only allowed to meet with one person at a time outside their household.

However, retail opportunities are increasing, with businesses including some John Lewis, Homebase and Greggs outlets beginning to reopen, ITV News reports. And garden centres have been permitted to welcome back customers since last Wednesday.

But fines for flouting the remaining lockdown rules were increased last week too, rising from £60 to £100 in England.

The BBC reports that between 27 March and 11 May, police in England and Wales issued more than 14,000 fines for alleged breaches of lockdown laws.

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