Nearly COVID rules - including limits on the number of people who can meet together, legal requirements on wearing face masks, and social distancing in pubs and bars - will be done away with as part of the final step of the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions in England.

The government expects to push ahead with step four of its lockdown-lifting roadmap on 19 July, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to move away from ministerial edicts for managing the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, people in England will be encouraged to use their personal judgement on the risks of infection - with the prime minister wishing to see a new way of living with the virus.

A final decision on whether to go ahead with the last phase of the roadmap will be taken in a week's time, following a review of the latest data and if the government's tests for removing restrictions are being met.

(With input from agencies)