More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for June 21 to be a bank holiday

Under the plans, restrictions will be eased in stages, starting with schools reopening on March 8.

If things all go to plan, then all the rules could be lifted by Monday, June 21 – with clubs being among the last thing to reopen.

The announcement has sparked much excitement, with people finally having something to look forward and the promise of a relatively normal summer.

There have even been calls online for June 21 to be made into a new bank holiday, to mark the end of all restrictions.

A petition has been launched on the government’s website and it has already been signed by more than 21,563 people – at the time of writing.

It reads: ‘Create a one off Bank Holiday on Monday June 21st 2021.

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‘We'd like the government to create a one off Bank Holiday, to be known as Merriweather Day, on Monday June 21st 2021 as an opportunity for families and friends to come together.

‘COVID19 has negatively impacted people and families up and down the length of the country in many different ways not least their ability to come together.

‘This proposed bank holiday would help families and friends of all faiths and none to come together to celebrate. We've chosen the longest day of the year as it provides for the most opportunities to be outdoors in a COVID19 safe way.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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