Covid: What are the social distancing rules and the rule of six?

Hugs between friends and family who don't live together will soon be allowed in England, Boris Johnson is expected to say.

The prime minister is due to use a briefing on Monday to confirm the further easing of lockdown restrictions on 17 May.

Health Minister Nadine Dorries said "the data is looking extremely positive" when asked if guidance would be relaxed to allow hugging between friends and family.

"We've all missed the hugs, we've all missed the close and intimate contact we've had with friends and family and so I'm hopeful that we will be hugging and kissing again indoors," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

She stressed people should still be cautious, to avoid Covid cases rising again.

Hugs should be short and not face-to-face says Prof Cath Noakes, a member of the Sage committee advising the government.

Speaking in a personal capacity, she said it would worry her "if we were advocating we could hug all of our friends every time we meet them again".

She added: "The reality is that when you hug someone you are very close to them and we know the virus is in people's breath."

Mr Johnson is expected to confirm that up to 30 people can gather outdoors in England from 17 May.

The current outdoor rule of six (or two households of any size) will apply indoors, with overnight stays allowed.

Children of all ages are included in headcounts, but professional carers are not. Support bubbles count as one household.

It's hoped "all legal limits on social contact" in England will be in step four of the government roadmap, on 21 June at the earliest.

First, a review into social distancing, including face coverings and working from home guidance needs to report.

In most cases, the rules in place across the UK mean you should stay 2m (6ft) away from anyone you don't live or bubble with.

In England, if it's not possible to stay 2m apart, the one-metre plus guidance means you should be at least 1m (3ft) apart with extra precautions in place (such as face coverings).

In some pubs and restaurants in Scotland you can be 1m apart from people you don't live with. If you meet friends for a meal, venues must ensure there is enough space between you.

Social distancing guidelines for:

Outdoors, you can meet up to six people from multiple households.

Indoors, up to six people from two households can socialise in a public place, but not a private home.

Children aged under 12 are not included in outdoor headcounts, but they are when counting household numbers meeting indoors.

So, for example, indoor children's parties with youngsters from more than two households are not permitted.

An extended household (support bubble) counts as one household.

From 17 May it's hoped:

Six people from multiple households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens.

Children under 11 are not included in headcounts.

Meeting people from other households indoors is not allowed, unless you are in a support bubble or extended household.

No date has been set for the easing of household mixing rules, but the Welsh Government is considering whether to go ahead with plans to let pubs and restaurants serve indoors from 17 May.

Up to 15 people (including children) from three households can meet outdoors (including a private garden).

You must not socialise indoors with anyone you don't live with.

Two households of any size can bubble together and meet indoors, but with only 10 people (including children) present.

It's hoped wider mixing of households in homes will be allowed from 24 May.