What will change when distancing rules are relaxed on July 4

What you CAN expect:

♦The two-metre rule will be cut.

The new “one metre plus” rule will allow people to be a metre apart if they take measures such as wearing a mask or meeting outdoors.

♦Cinemas, museums and galleries will reopen.

More leisure activities are set to be possible under the new plans, with cinemas, museums and art galleries all being given the green light to reopen.

Cinema giants Vue and Showcase have already announced that they will reopen under government guidance on July 4.

♦An expansion of household “bubbles”.

One possibility is to allow two households to join together without a limit on numbers. Another is to allow “bubbles” of a set number of people from more than two households.

♦Pubs and restaurants can reopen.

Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to partially reopen but it is expected they will have to take names and contact details of customers.

♦Staycations will be allowed.

Hotels/b&bs are expected to open from July 4.

♦Hairdressers will be allowed to reopen.

Hairdressers and barbers will wear full-face plastic visors and customers will need an appointment. Equipment will be disinfected more frequently, and staff urged to cut small talk.

♦Open air cinemas and concerts.

As of July 4, a small number of drive-in cinemas will tour the UK.

♦Places of worship to open from July 4.

Hymns and singing “are not advised”, communal bibles should be avoided and priests may have to offer Holy Communion from behind Perspex screens.

What you CAN’T expect:

♦A return to mass gatherings.

Sports matches are likely to remain behind closed doors, with festivals and night clubs also a long way off.

Many in the music industry do not expect traditional concerts to return until next year.

♦The reopening of theatres.

Most arts venues are currently in “phase three” of the official lockdown plan, which designates them “higherrisk businesses” on account of the threat of coronavirus transmission within enclosed spaces. Theatre insiders say they are hoping they will be able to return in the autumn.

♦To go to a house party.

While social bubbles may be extended, throwing a big party is not going to be possible for the foreseeable future. However, some are hopeful that England will follow Northern Ireland and allow up to six members of a family to meet indoors.

♦To go camping. While much of the domestic tourism sector is expected to reopen, campsites are likely to have to wait longer due to fears shared facilities could allow the virus to spread.