The Papers: 'Happy Monday' on the way and 'football's coming home'

Image caption The Daily Mail hails "happy Monday" as the day when groups of six will be allowed to meet up outdoors in England. It describes Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement as the "first major easing" of coronavirus lockdown rules - and says it's "time to fire up the barbie" as family and friends can reunite.

Image caption Another paper excited about the prospect of a barbecue is the Metro - although it caveats the announcement by reminding readers to stick to the group size limit and "avoid the loo" if possible, due to the infection risk of going inside the home of another household.

Image caption The various socially-distanced get-togethers that will be allowed from next week are listed by the Daily Express: barbecues, garden parties, and meetings in parks, beaches and other outdoor venues. While the paper greets the news with the headline "Can't wait till we meet again", it does spare a thought for those who won't be invited - pointing out that shielding advice for the most vulnerable to coronavirus remains in force.

Image caption In a play on words paying tribute to the sunny weather, the Financial Times says the easing of restrictions is a "ray of hope" for people in England. It also claims excess mortality figures show the UK has so far suffered the world's second-highest rate of excess deaths during the coronavirus period, beaten only by Spain.

Image caption The Daily Telegraph reminds readers that hugging people from different households remains banned, and warns that the easing could be reversed if the coronavirus infection rate rises again. Its splash image salutes "a cause for applause" - picturing the founder of the weekly Clap For Our Carers event, Annemarie Plas, joining in what she has suggested should be the final week of the event.

Image caption The changes in England mean people can look forward to "a long-awaited and joyful moment" of reunion, the Daily Mirror says. The tabloid features a large splash image of the prime minister's top adviser, Dominic Cummings, after Durham Police said they would have turned him back when he journeyed to the county from London during lockdown.

Image caption The Guardian says the prime minister has "brushed aside a growing revolt" from within his party as MPs continue to call for Mr Cummings to be sacked. Mr Johnson said the "matter was closed" after police concluded Mr Cummings may have broken lockdown rules but decided they would take no action against him. But the paper says the investigation "failed to exonerate" the special adviser.

Image caption The i says Mr Johnson "blocked" scientific advisers from answering questions about Mr Cummings during Thursday's briefing. And in a small page-top headline, the paper greets the news of next month's return of Premier League football with the refrain "It's coming back, it's coming back".

Image caption The Sun says millions of football fans are celebrating the Premier League announcement. All 92 remaining matches will be shown on live TV with a third of them for free, the paper says. It says England captain Harry Kane is "jubilant".

Image caption With all games set to be played in empty stadiums, the Times says artificial crowd noise will be an optional setting to boost the atmosphere for fans watching from home. It adds that some matches such as the home games of Liverpool - the "likely champions" - could be played at a neutral venue in another city, for fear supporters might congregate outside the stadium.

Image caption The Daily Star also welcomes the football news, with its front page "thought for the day" simply stating "football's coming home". Meanwhile, its lead story describes the expansion of outdoor gatherings as "The joy of six". And the paper continues its week-long mockery of Dominic Cummings by using a doctored photograph depicting him and Health Secretary Matt Hancock as the Chuckle Brothers - with the speech bubble "To me, to you, to hell with everybody else".

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