UK's Johnson to announce lockdown easing plans on Tuesday
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Shoppers walk past opened shops as well as retail shops that have remained closed as coronavirus restrictions on non-essential retailers were lifted in London, June 19, 2020. /AP

Shoppers walk past opened shops as well as retail shops that have remained closed as coronavirus restrictions on non-essential retailers were lifted in London, June 19, 2020. /AP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will unveil the latest easing of Britain's coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday when he will also announce the conclusion of a review into whether a two-meter rule on social distancing should be relaxed, according to his office.

Britain's economy has been hammered by the lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 and although non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen last Monday, many businesses, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sectors, have remained closed.

Employers in the hospitality sector were reported to complain that the two-meter rule prevents them from being able to operate as lockdown measures are lifted.

Some lawmakers in Johnson's party have been vocal in calling for him to drop the two-meter rule saying it was having a devastating impact on the economy which shrank by a quarter over March and April. But the government has been cautious, saying it did not want to risk a second spike in novel coronavirus cases.

Johnson's office said the prime minister will tell parliament on Tuesday which sectors will be allowed to reopen on July 4 under the government's roadmap out of the lockdown. Detailed guidance will be provided to each sector so businesses were "COVID secure."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins a socially distanced lesson during a visit to Bovingdon Primary School in Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, June 19, 2020. /AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins a socially distanced lesson during a visit to Bovingdon Primary School in Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead, June 19, 2020. /AP

Johnson will also announce a change to the social distancing guidelines so people would only need to remain one meter apart providing they took additional measures such as wearing a mask, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

The UK has one of the highest death tolls in the world from the global pandemic, but the number of cases has been steadily falling in recent weeks. The death toll on Sunday of confirmed cases rose by 43 to 42,632, one of the lowest increases since the lockdown was imposed in March.

"The disease is increasingly under control," Johnson said on Sunday. "Of course as we make that progress, it will be possible for us to open up more. On social distancing, watch this space and you won't have very much more to wait now."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday that there were possible mitigations that could allow people to be closer than two meters while limiting the risk of spreading the virus. He said he would not rule out people having to register their details before going to a pub or a restaurant.

A spokeswoman for Johnson said it was important that people followed the social distancing rules as they were eased and they would "not hesitate" to put the handbrake on.

The prime minister is said to hold meetings with senior ministers and experts in No. 10 Downing Street on Monday before updating the Commons on Tuesday.

(With input from agencies)