On Tuesday 23 June, Boris Johnson is set to announce a further lifting of lockdown measures in England, including confirming that pubs and restaurants can reopen.

The prime minister previously outlined that people in England could meet up with a limited number of friends and family, making the announcement on Thursday 28 May.

In May, Mr Johnson shared a roadmap England is following for easing lockdown restrictions.

According to the prime minister, as all five tests required to reach the next phase of lockdown easing had been met, groups of up to six people could meet outside “provided those from different households continue to stick to social distancing rules” by staying two metres apart.

From Monday 1 June, people were able to gather in public and private outdoor spaces, meaning barbecues were possible, and were also able to exercise outside with up to five others from different households, provided that strict social distancing guidelines were followed.

The prime minister did state, however, that certain restrictions are still in place, such as no sleepovers.

In Scotland, from 19 June people from one household were allowed to meet up with two other households, as long as these meetings only took place indoors in groups of no more than eight.

In Wales, people from two separate households can socialise outdoors in groups of any size, while in Northern Ireland groups of up to six people are allowed to meet up in doors, although it is advised that meetings continue to take place outside.

So, what do the new rules mean for seeing family and friends? Here is everything you need to know.

Can you meet with family and friends if you sit outside?

People in England can currently meet up with up to six friends and family members as long as they are in an outdoor space such as a park or private garden. Mr Johnson acknowledged that the changes are “limited and cautious” and stressed that he “cannot and will not throw away all the gains we’ve made together”.

According to the prime minister, the changes meant barbecues with friends and family are allowed “provided you did it in a socially-distanced way, provided everyone washes their hands, provided everybody exercises common sense.”

The prime minister encouraged people, however, to “avoid seeing too many households in quick succession so we can avoid the risk of quick transmission from lots of different families and continue to control the virus”. Mr Johnson did not state a specific number of households that people are allowed to see.

The latest update came after the government released a 60-page document titled Our Plan to Rebuild that permitted people in England to meet up with one person from outside their household, as long as they were outside and maintain social distancing.

“As well as exercise, people can now also spend time outdoors subject to: not meeting up with any more than one person from outside your household; continued compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away from people outside your household; good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces; and those responsible for public places being able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidance,” the document reads.

From 13 June, people in England who live alone or are a single parent were allowed to form a “support bubble” with one other household.

This means that for those in the support bubble, they are allowed to spend time together indoors and do not need to stay two metres apart.

“Support bubbles should be exclusive – meaning you should not switch the household you are in a bubble with or connect with multiple households,” the government stated.

On 28 May, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed Scots are able to meet people outside their household as long as they practice social distancing and stay two metres apart. Unlike England, this can be in groups of up to eight people.

When can I see more of my family?

According to the new guidelines, people in England are now permitted to see up to six family members, ”perhaps seeing both parents at once, or both grandparents at once,” the prime minister confirmed.

Previously, the government revealed it was considering a range of options to allow people to expand their household to include one other household, with the intention of this change to “allow those who are isolated some more social contact, and to reduce the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, while continuing to limit the risk of chains of transmission”.

It added that the move would also support some families to return to work by, for example, allowing two households to share childcare.

Are you allowed to exercise with other people?

People in England are now allowed to exercise with other people, as long as they are outside and maintain social distancing. Previously, Mr Johnson acknowledged that parks will be open and people “can even play sports,” but that social distancing measures still apply.

Currently, people in England are also permitted to sunbathe in local parks with other members of their household.

Have the rules regarding social distancing changed at all?

According to the prime minister, social distancing measures are still required and “those who have been asked to shield themselves should continue to do so.”

Whether or not you are displaying coronavirus symptoms, social distancing is something that everyone must be practising and means that you should not be meeting anyone from outside your household and maintain your distance from others if you are out in public.

Social distancing rules are even more strict for over-70s and those with serious underlying health conditions. The government advice is that anyone who falls into this category should be particularly stringent with social distancing, while others with particularly serious conditions have been advised not to leave their homes at all.

“I should add that, at this stage, I am afraid that those who have been asked to shield themselves should continue to do so,” Mr Johnson said Thursday.

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