What the papers say – May 18
England’s reopening is balanced by concerns over the Indian coronavirus strain’s spread in Tuesday’s papers.
The Daily Mirror reports there is “joy for millions as Covid rules are lifted to allow hugs and indoor meet-ups”.
Tomorrow's front page: Touched by hope #tomorrowspaperstoday https://t.co/UJHSI16466 pic.twitter.com/tb1jJo6TSg
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) May 17, 2021
The Daily Star says “everything’s back to normal” because “we’ve got holidays, hugs… and a pony in a pub”, along with a photograph of the filly trying to sneak a sip of a pint.
Tomorrow's front page: Everything's back to normal, then… #TomorrowsPapersTodayhttps://t.co/HtCel3gChJ pic.twitter.com/Vv7tN9HbH5
— Daily Star (@dailystar) May 17, 2021
The tone is less celebratory in The Guardian, which reports the Government and health teams are “struggling to contain” cases of the Indian coronavirus variant.
Guardian front page, Tuesday 18 May 2021: Surging new variant puts lockdown end in jeopardy pic.twitter.com/VeMozVRycq
— The Guardian (@guardian) May 17, 2021
The Independent says the surging cases have forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to shelve a plan to scrap social distancing rules, with the i reporting the move is a “huge blow” for the arts and hospitality industries as they began welcoming patrons back indoors.
Tuesday’s INDEPENDENT Digital: “PM delays move on social distancing as cases surge” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Qvr50VQACE
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 17, 2021
Tuesday’s i – “Variant fears hit route back to normality” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DdjD9WzCPZ
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 17, 2021
Concern over the Indian variant has ministers “considering contingency plans for local lockdowns” or a delay to reopening after June 21, according to The Times.
Tuesday’s TIMES: “Fears that spread of variant may end in tiers” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/koYmn7yN83
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 17, 2021
But the Daily Mail reports Tory ministers and MPs have told Mr Johnson they would not accept pandemic restrictions “being extended to protect jab refuseniks”.
Tuesday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/6z6fllyG2K
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 17, 2021
The Daily Express quotes Health Secretary Matt Hancock as saying tests suggest current Covid-19 jabs are effective against the surging strain, with Metro reporting thousands of vaccine sceptics have changed their minds and are seeking shots in places like Bolton.
Tuesday’s Daily EXPRESS (updated): “So Close…Jabs WILL Help Us ALL Beat Variant” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/BgaZygfMgh
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) May 17, 2021
Tuesday's front page:
AT LAST, THEYGET THE POINT#TomorrowsPapersToday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/8HAYOflf9S
— Metro Newspaper UK (@MetroUKNews) May 17, 2021
The Daily Telegraph claims EU ambassadors will sign off on a plan to allow British holidaymakers to use “vaccine passports” to travel to Europe without a Covid test or quarantine.
🗞️The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'Holidays to Europe with a vaccine passport'#TomorrowsPapersToday
📩Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/IXk8egRwlc
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 17, 2021
And there is a “ferocious” battle taking place at the heart of Government over whether to agree a trade deal with Australia which includes tariff-free access to Australian farmers, the Financial Times reports.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Tuesday May 18 https://t.co/9HZkO0dkxb pic.twitter.com/YEI4CpNSMF
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) May 17, 2021