BORIS Johnson has announced a major easing of Covid-19 restrictions in England – claiming the UK Government doesn’t “currently believe there will be a second wave of infections that will overwhelm the NHS”.

The Prime Minister made his announcement just one day after South Korea, which was widely considered to be a success story in fighting coronavirus, confirmed it was seeing a second wave of Covid-19.

Germany – also a country which has won praise for it response to the pandemic – has also seen its R rate rise following a localised outbreak at a slaughterhouse. In Beijing, too, schools recently had to be closed again in response to new outbreaks of the virus.

Speaking in the Commons this afternoon Johnson said he would “safely ease the lockdown in England” further and ensure “caution will remain our watch word”.

The Tory leader announced that the two-metre social distancing rule would be reduced to one metre from July 4. On that date people will also be allowed to meet with one other household at a time indoors subject to social distancing.

Also on July 4, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open indoors and outdoors if they put in safety guidelines. Hotels, B&Bs, campsites, caravan parks, hair salons, barbers, playgrounds, museums, galleries, theme parks, outdoor gyms, arcades, libraries, social clubs and community centres are also allowed to reopen with social distancing measures in place.

Responding to the announcement, Labour leader Keir Starmer said he generally welcomes the announcement but said questions remain on the scientific advice and the risk of transmission.