Groups of up to six people will be allowed to meet outside in the U.K. from Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday as the country continues its gradual easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Even as outdoor meetings for small groups are permitted, people will still be required to observe social distancing by keeping two metres apart.

"These changes mean friends and family will start to meet loved ones," in what would be a "long awaited and joyful moment", Boris said.

The Prime Minister said the further ease of restrictions was possible because the government's five tests, including a fall in deaths, were being met.

Boris however warned against "seeing people from too many households in quick succession" to help "avoid the risk of transmission from lots of different families".

He also urged people deemed most vulnerable to continue shielding themselves for now.

The U.K. is one of the world’s worst affected countries by the COVID-19 pandemic, having registered 268,620 infections and 37,542 deaths, according to the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Source(s): BBC