GBP appreciated against most of its major counterparts in the European session on Monday as investors reacted positively to the fact that the English non-essential shops, pubs, gyms and some other businesses reopened today after three months of closures, as part of Stage 2 of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's lockdown exit roadmap. Stage 3 is to start no earlier than May 17.

Boris Johnson called the easing of restrictions "a major step forward in our roadmap to freedom".

"I'm sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else, it's a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed," he noted.