COVID-19 restrictions regarding legal limits on social contact are to end in June and beer gardens will be reopening in April.

The new four-step plan to ease lockdown could see all legal limits on social contact lifted by June 21.

Up to six people from separate households could be able to meet in beer gardens from that date.

'The Scotch Egg debate will be over' says the PM.

Shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will reopen on April 12 in England - if strict conditions are met, under plans being set out by the PM.

It requires four tests on vaccines, infection rates and new coronavirus variants to be met at each stage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs the plan aimed to be 'cautious but irreversible' and at every stage decisions would be led by 'data not dates.

Dates of lockdown lifting

April 12: Non-essential retail, hairdressers, nail salons, gyms and outdoor areas in hospitality venues (such as beer gardens) are set to reopen - along with libraries, museums, zoos and theme parks.

Self-contained accommodation will reopen, but people will only be able to stay with members of their household.

May 17: Pubs, restaurants, cinemas, hotels, B&Bs and children's play areas set to open their doors once more, with fans allowed back into sporting events.

Most rules on social contact outdoors will be lifted, while mixing of different households will be allowed indoors.

Up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings, funerals, wakes, receptions and christening.