The United Kingdom is set to allow hugs with loved ones and indoor socialising from next week, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcd further easing of coronavirus restrictions.
According to the announcement, the next stage of the road map out of lockdown is expected to go ahead as planned, with ministers to hold a meeting on Monday to agree the next set of measures.
It states that from May 17, most social contact rules outdoors will be lifted, while gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.
While indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply, with Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Gove suggesting physical contact between friends and family will be allowed.
Also confirming this, Health minister Nadine Dorries said steps will be taken to get pubs and hugs back.
“We are all looking forward to pubs and shops opening, to entertaining people, having people in doors, and hugging’ Health minister,” he tweeted.
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 expected to reopen.
Other measures include allowing up to 30 people attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals.
According to the UK Government, available data suggests easing restrictions is unlikely to risk a resurgence in infections.
Latest figures shows that a third of UK adults are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, with a total of 17,669,379 people having received both jabs – the equivalent of 33.5% of all people aged 18 and over.
So far, more than 50 million vaccine doses have been administered in the UK as the Government, with plans to offer all adults a first dose by the end of July.
PM Johnson is now set to host a press conference on Monday afternoon to confirm the further easing of restrictions.
“The road map remains on track, our successful vaccination programme continues – more than two-thirds of adults in the UK have now had the first vaccine – and we can now look forward to unlocking cautiously but irreversibly.
“It’s because of the British public’s unwavering commitment that we are saving lives, protecting the NHS and controlling the virus,” he said.
