BORIS Johnson said we can ease the 2m social distancing rule in England now that infection rates are falling. 

Addressing Parliament this afternoon, the prime minister said: "We created a human shield around the NHS and in turn, our doctors and nurses have protected us and together we have saved our hospitals from being overwhelmed." 

He said that the numbers had fallen, but paid tribute to lives that had been lost, saying: "This pandemic has inflicted permanent scars." 

He explained that infection rates were measured by a seven-day rolling average. On April 14 that average was 942 at its worst, on May 11 it had dropped to 476 and yesterday the rolling average stood at 130. 

He said: "We do not believe that there is a risk currently of a second peak of infections. We continue to meet our five tests." 

Scientists leading the efforts have downgraded the UKs alert level from 4 to a 3. 

EVERYTHING ANNOUNCED BY THE PM: 

  • Safely ease lockdown in England
  • From July 4 change of social distancing rule 
  • Where possible stay 2m apart but where it is not possible people should stay 1m apart
  • Today the government will be publishing guidance on how to protect workers this will include changing office layouts, reducing the number of people in closed spaces, protective screens, hand-sanitister stations, changing shift patterns so staff work in set teams and providing good ventilation. 
  • Two households should be able to meet in any setting - outside or in 
  • They do not always have to be the same two households- one set of grandparents one weekend and another the next 
  • Not multiple houses inside
  • Outside guidance remains the same that people can meet in groups of six 
  • Two households can meet regardless of size
  • reopening of pubs and restaurants
  • All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service and minimal staff and customer contact 
  • Hair salons can reopen with masks 
  • Nail bars will be allowed to reopen in time 
  • From July 4 provided no more than 2 households meet up, people can stay over campsites and bed and breakfasts
  • Leisure and tourism can reopen as long as we do it safely including outdoor gyms, galleries, theme parks, libraries, social clubs, community centres
  • Nightclubs and soft play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools and spas need to remain closed as will bowling alleys an water parks 
  • Places of worship will be able to reopen
  • Weddings with a maximum of 30 people can now go ahead
  • Police stations and public service can slowly reintroduce face to face contact 
  • Wrap around care for school-aged children and childcare will restart over the summer
  • Primary and secondary education will reopen in September will full attendance because it is safe.