A full list of business’ allowed to reopen from Monday, May 17 has been circulated ahead of Boris Johnson announcement regarding stage three of the roadmap out of lockdown.

The Prime Minister will address the nation live from Downing Street at 5pm alongside key advisors as further lockdown restrictions are set to be lifted in England.

Hugging and indoor mixing looks set to be given the green light by Mr Johnson as the country continues its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

This will be the third step of a four-stage roadmap plan set out by Boris Johnson earlier this year and follows the easing of restrictions on March 29 and April 12.

The Covid-19 alert level has been downgraded after a “consistent” fall in cases, hospitals and deaths ahead of the Prime Minister’s announcement.

The four chief medical officers of the UK have said the threat level should be lowered from “level 4” to “level 3”, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and social distancing restrictions.

It comes as experts said that the nation is in a “strong position” to press ahead with the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

In a statement, the chief medical officers of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, said: “Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK chief medical officers and NHS England national medical director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3.

“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently. However, Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant. This remains a major pandemic globally.

“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”

York Press: Covid-19 alert levels. (PA Graphics)Covid-19 alert levels. (PA Graphics)

As restrictions ease next Monday the following establishments will be allowed to reopen:

  • Pubs (indoor serving)
  • Restaurants (indoor serving)
  • Steam rooms
  • Saunas
  • Cinemas
  • Bingo halls
  • Bowling alleys
  • Big events (with capacity)
  • Sports stadiums (with capacity)

Indoor events will have a capacity limit of 1,000 or 50% whichever is the smallest number, while outdoor events will be allowed up to 4,000 or 50% of capacity.

The final step of the roadmap out of lockdown is schedule for June where all measures are expected to be lifted.