The prime minister is expected to announce whether the hospitality sector can reopen from 4 July in parliament tomorrow. A relaxation to the 2-metre distancing rule will also be discussed.
While non-essential shops reopened in England last week, retail resumes in Wales today. Non-essential shops in Scotland remain shut.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that England is "clearly on track" to ease lockdown measures further; however, Downing Street have warned that measures will be taken if there is a risk of a second spike.
Boris Johnson will meet with the Covid-19 Strategy Committee today to discuss changes to lockdown rules. Labour MPs have called for full transparency in the review’s findings.
Jon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said yesterday that the support of his party would rely upon the introduction of testing, tracing and face shielding from the government.
In an interview on BBC Breakfast, Security Minister James Brokenshire said that the review of the 2-metre rule would not only be informed by scientific evidence but would also consider "experience around the world as well". He believes that the understanding of how the virus is transmitted "has evolved over the last number of weeks".
A spokesperson for No 10 said that: "The reason we are able to move forward this week is because the vast majority of people have taken steps to contain the virus.
"The more we open up, the more important it is that everyone follows the social distancing rules.
"We will not hesitate to put the handbrake on to stop the virus running out of control."
