The UK government has confirmed that it is moving to phase two of lockdown from Monday (1 June).
Speaking at today's daily coronavirus briefing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that from next week people will be able to meet up outside in groups of six.
And whereas people are currently only allowed to meet others in open spaces, such as parks, they will now be able to meet up in private gardens.
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However, people are only allowed to enter another's home in order to access their garden.
The PM also announced that from 15 June, secondary schools would restart face-to-face contact for years 10 and 12.
Mr Johnson told the press briefing that the decision was taken after all five tests had been met, allowing lockdown measures to ease in the fight against coronavirus.
He said that he understood that 'toll taken on family and friends unable to see each other', and that this was a 'long awaited and joyful moment'.
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He said: "These changes mean friends and family can start to meet their loved ones, perhaps, seeing both parents or grandparents at once."
However, Mr Johnson was keen to reiterate the point that it was vital people stayed alert and did not see people from different households in quick succession, so as to reduce the possibility of 'quick transmission'.
But said that the government hope to 'do more in the coming weeks', however, stated that the number one priority was to keep to protect public health.
He said: "I cannot and will not throw away all the gains we have made together, so the changes we are making are limited and cautious."
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Adding: "I want to reaffirm the fundamental commitment to the British people that all the steps we have taken and will take are conditional on all the data and all the scientific advice.
"There will be further local outbreaks, so we'll monitor what's going on very carefully.
"We'll put on the brakes as required and where necessary we'll reimpose measures."
This latest announcement comes just a few days after the government revealed that all 'non-essential' shops would be able to reopen from 15 June.
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Though some are already allowed to open, the full list of shops to reopen next month includes:
- food retailers
- chemists
- hardware/homeware stores
- fashion shops
- charity shops
- betting shops and arcades
- tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers
- car dealerships
- auction houses
- antique stores
- retail art galleries
- photography studios
- gift shops and retail spaces in theatres, museums, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites
- mobile phone stores
- indoor and outdoor markets
- craft fairs
- similar types of retail
However, due to the risk of infection being higher than in other settings, hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons and the hospitality sector will remain closed.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News