The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the next easing of coronavirus restrictions will go ahead as planned, but during a live press conference he continued to stress that people should remain cautious, especially when it came to giving out hugs.

From 17 May, you will be able to socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays. Up to 30 people can meet outside. Pubs, theatres and other venues can open indoors. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for people on holiday.

The details of what will change include:

New guidance on meeting friends and family will emphasise personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don't live with, you will be encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember that the risks of close contact may be greater for some people than others and in some settings and circumstances, there will be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family.

Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children's indoor play areas will be permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place.

People will be able to attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events will be capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.

Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.

Organised indoor sport will be able to take place for all (this includes gym classes). This must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

All holiday accommodation will be open (including hotels and B&Bs). This can be used by groups of up to six or two households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).

Funeral attendance will no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be increased to 30 people. Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people.

The rules for care home residents visiting out and receiving visitors will change, allowing up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19.

All higher education students will be able to access in-person teaching.

Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits will increase to 30 people (not including under 5s).

The changes were agreed as the latest figures showed that more than two thirds of all adults across the UK have been vaccinated, with more than 18 million people having received their second dose.

The four UK chief medical officers had earlier confirmed that the UK Covid-19 alert level should move from level four to level three.

As for the next stage, whether all social distancing will be scrapped on 21 June, the Prime Minister told a reporter that : " We may be able to dispense with the 1m+ rule" but that no decision has been made yet.