Pubs, restaurants and hotels are among the businesses which will be allowed to reopen in England from July 4 after a relaxation of the two-metre social distancing restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons "our long, national hibernation is beginning to come to an end" as he announced the largest single changes to the coronavirus restrictions.

From July 4, the two-metre recommendation will be reduced to at least one metre but the Prime Minister said "where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should".

He said: "This pandemic has inflicted permanent scars and we mourn everyone we have lost. The more we open up, the more vigilant we will need to be."

Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open for table service if they introduce the necessary safety guidelines, including taking contact details of customers in case of further outbreaks.

Other businesses allowed to reopen include hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks in self-contained units.

And hair salons and barbers will be able to return with the appropriate safety measures, including the wearing of visors.

Playgrounds, museums, galleries, theme parks, outdoor gyms and arcades, libraries, social clubs and community centres are also able to reopen from July 4.

But close-proximity venues such as nightclubs, spas, indoor soft play areas, bowling alleys, water parks, indoor gyms, nail bars, swimming pools and water parks will remain closed.

The Prime Minister said: "We can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England.

"At every stage, caution will remain our watch word. Each step will be conditional and reversible."

From July 4 people will also be allowed to meet with one other household indoors and outdoors and not always with the same household

Mr Johnson added: "The fewer social contacts you have the safer you will be."