BBC NewsSaturday, 3 March, 2001, 06:44 GMT
Britain is 'shut for the weekend'Britain is shut for the weekend because of the foot-and-mouth crisis and the newspapers are at a loss to offer alternatives to their readers.
The Daily Mail says the traditional weekend chance to unwind has been turned into a time to become wound up.
Much of the countryside is out of bounds, shoppers are fretting over the availability of the Sunday joint and a large part of the East Coast rail line is again out of action.
For The Times too, the weekend has been cancelled.
Using theatrical language, it says Britain has gone dark - it has no actors, no audience and no life.
The Independent carries a large map of the United Kingdom on its front page, showing the 40 areas hit by the outbreak as well as the numerous parks, woodlands, zoos, historic homes and other amenities shut to the public.
The country, according to the headline, has become "no-go UK."
A visit to the supermarket might be one of the few things left to do, but it is likely to bring an unpleasant surprise, with a number of papers reporting that a surge in demand for meat is pushing up prices in some outlets by up to fifty per cent.
The Mirror, which leads on the price increases, says traders are being forced to pay more for foreign meat because British supplies are running out fast.
According to The Independent some outlets in the north of England have run out of British stocks.
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joy b2u,
Karen
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Look up!!! He's coming!
