Groups of up to 6 people can meet outside from next week, says British PM as lockdown eases

Up to six people from different households will be allowed to meet outdoors next week as part of another modest easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.

But the government's chief scientific adviser cautioned that Britain was at a "fragile" point in its fight against the virus, with some 2,000 new infections still being reported each day - more than two months after the country went into lockdown.

NHS workers react at the Aintree University Hospital during the last day of the Clap for our Carers campaign. Reuters

Johnson, who has faced days of scorn for keeping his top aide Dominic Cummings in post following his controversial travels during the lockdown, said families and friends in groups of up to six can meet from Monday in outdoor spaces, including public parks and private gardens.

Johnson said at a news conference that this was potentially a "long-awaited and joyful moment” for parents and grandparents but stressed that people must remain 2 metres apart. Barbecues are allowed as part of the easing but camping in gardens is not.

"It remains the case that people should not be inside the homes of their friends and families, unless it is to access the garden," he said.

People take their daily excercise alongside Camden Lock in north London. AFP

The prime minister also confirmed that schools will start reopening from Monday, initially for some younger students. Outdoor-based shops, such as car showrooms, can also reopen. Earlier, England's Premier League also said that the soccer season is to recommence on June 17.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also easing lockdowns, in slightly different ways.

Johnson said the "limited and cautious” changes were possible because five government-imposed tests have been met. These include "sustained and consistent” falls in virus infections and the daily death rate.

NHS workers and members of the public react at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during the last day of the Clap for our Carers campaign. Reuters

Though the number of people dying after testing positive for COVID-19 has fallen since the peak in early April. the UK still recorded another 377 deaths in all settings including hospitals and care homes, taking the total to 37,837 - the second-highest in the world behind the United States.

"This is not a time to say ‘Everything’s OK, we’re relaxing measures, everything’s going to be rosy," said the government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance. "We are at a fragile state.”

Johnson continued to brush aside questions about Cummings, and said that the issue was now closed after police said they will not take any action on the matter.

Johnson stressed that the changes were “small tentative steps forward”, and health experts warned the situation remained finely balanced with new cases declining, but not very quickly.

People enjoy the sunny weather alongside Camden Lock in north London. AFP

The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own public health policy.

Johnson’s announcement came hours after more lawmakers from his Conservative Party called for Cummings to quit.

The prime minister also faces criticism for his handling of a pandemic that has left Britain with the world’s second-highest death toll.

Cummings travelled from London to the northern English city of Durham in March with his four-year-old son and his wife, who was sick at the time, to be close to relatives.

People enjoy the sunny weather alongside Camden Lock in north London. AFP

 A YouGov opinion poll showed a majority of Britons think Cummings should resign for - in their view - breaking the lockdown rules, but Johnson has said he acted with integrity.

At the news conference, Johnson blocked questions from journalists put to his top medical and scientific officials about Cummings’ behaviour.

Johnson said he wanted to “protect them from ... an unfair and unnecessary attempt to ask a political question”. The two officials, England’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty and Britain’s chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance, also said they did not want to be drawn into politics.

The dispute over Cummings has prompted some to lose faith in the government’s strategy, with many people unable to understand how a senior official had not broken the rules by driving across the country when the government repeatedly told people to “stay home” and “save lives.”

The move to ease lockdown measures came as England launched a new testing and contact tracing system on Thursday for COVID-19 patients, seen as crucial to helping ease lockdown measures.