Live updates as Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Downing Street press conference to ease lockdown restrictions

Hugs with family and friends and indoor venues are expected to be allowed from Monday, May 17 as Boris Johnson holds press conference to announce the further easing of coronavirus restrictions.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the further easing of lockdown restrictions for England in a Downing Street press conference at 5pm on Monday, May 10.

The changes are set to come into force on May 17 with most social contact rules for outdoors to be lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.

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The rule of six or two households will still apply indoors, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove suggesting physical contact between friends and family will be allowed.

Boris Johnson is set to ease lockdown restrictions in a Downing Street press conference. Photo: Getty Images.Boris Johnson is set to ease lockdown restrictions in a Downing Street press conference. Photo: Getty Images.
Boris Johnson is set to ease lockdown restrictions in a Downing Street press conference. Photo: Getty Images.

Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes are also expected to reopen.

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Boris Johnson set to announce further easing of lockdown restrictions from May 17

Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ease lockdown restrictions

The Prime Minister is set to hold a Downing Street press conference at 5pm on Monday, May 10 in which he will announce the further easing of lockdown restrictons.

Following Boris Johnson’s announcement, the changes will come into force from Monday, May 17.

The changes are set to come into force on May 17 with most social contact rules for outdoors to be lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.

The rule of six or two households will still apply indoors, with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove suggesting physical contact between friends and family will be allowed.

Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes are also expected to reopen.

Confirmation of lockdown easing

Boris Johnson has confirmed that lockdown will ease further across England from Monday, May 17.

The Prime Minister has made the announcement during a Downing Street press conference.

Hugs along with indoor pints and entertainment venues set to reopen

From Monday, May 17 people will be able to sit inside pubs, cinemas and theatres as lockdown eases further in England.

The rule of six or two households will still apply and social distancing must be followed when not with close friends or family.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that physical contact with family members, such as hugs, will also be permitted when lockdown eases.

“Your efforts have so visibly paid off”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised the efforts of the public across England for their work in allowing the Covid-19 lockdown to ease further.

Mr Johnson thanked the public for the sacrifices made during lockdown as he announced that step three of the road map could go ahead in England from May 17 as planned, saying: “Your efforts have so visibly paid off.”

Increased care home visitors

Boris Johnson has revealed that the number of visitors that a care home resident can receive is being increased from two to five once lockdown eases.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that residents will be able to leave their care homes without the need to isolate upon their return.

Deaths at the lowest levels since last summer

The Prime Minister has revealed that deaths and hospitalisations due to Covid are at their lowest since July last year.

During a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: ““With deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest level since last July and the UK’s four chief medical officers today agreeing a reduction in the alert level, the data now support moving to step three in England from next Monday, May 17.”

No face coverings required in schools

As lockdown eases, pupils in schools across England will no longer be required to wear face masks and coverings.

England “on track” to end social distancing rules

Boris Johnson has confirmed that England remains “on track” to end all legal restrictions on June 21 and said an update later this month would set out what role, “if any”, could be played by coronavirus health certificates and social distancing.

He told the Downing Street press conference: “This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road map back to normality and I am confident we will be able to go further.

“Subject to the impact of step three on the data, we remain on track to move to step four on June 21.

“And to give business more time to prepare we will be saying more later this month about exactly what the world will look like and what role there could be – if any – for certification and social distancing.”

Social distancing must be followed when not with family and friends

Boris Johnson has said people should continue to follow social distancing rules when not with family and friends.

He told a Downing Street news conference: “We only have to look at the very sad situation in other countries to see the lethal potential of this virus  and we must continue to fight the spread of variants here in the UK.

“While we have no evidence yet to believe these variants are completely vaccine resistant, we must remain vigilant.”