Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

England's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries acknowledges that many people will be frightened and anxious by the changes and will need reassurances.

Charities are concerned that certain key support measures – such as food packages and Statutory Sick Pay – will be taken away prematurely, forcing people to choose between their financial security and their health.

Without this help, and with many people still terrified of infection, for some the idea of normal life returning will feel more like a threat than an opportunity, says the MS Society.

From 1 August, individuals who are currently shielding will be able, and some expected, to return to work if they cannot do so from home.

They will no longer be eligible for sick pay, unless they are ill and unable to work.

But the government insists people will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and will still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.

Andy Woodcock from the Independent asks about further changes to lockdown in England which are due to be announced tomorrow: that the hospitality sector will reopen in July and the 2m rule will be reduced to 1m.

He asks: Are these being made for social and economic reasons rather than public health?

He also asks about Germany's increased "R rate" - the rate of infection.

Hancock says: "We've been guided by the science throughout this.

"The number of new cases is coming down and the number of hospitalisations is coming right down.

"Based on that data and the clinical advice... that's what has been feeding into what the prime minister will be announcing tomorrow."

On Germany, Dr Harries says even where lockdown measures are being eased "we all need to follow social distancing rules, to keep washing our hands and all of those things still apply".

"We need to learn to go forward with these restrictions in our lives," she says.

On lockdown easing, she says the scientists give the advice and the politicians acts on that advice.

Should people currently shielding seek advice from their GPs before returning to work, Hancock and Harries are asked?

Harries says this is sensible but she appeals for people not to do this first thing tomorrow morning, pointing out that changes won't happen until early August and people have plenty of time.

She says the chance of people "meeting the virus" in the community is very low and that "now is as safe as it is going to be for a while".

But she reiterates the point that the risk profile is higher for older people and for those with diabetes and other health conditions.

Interestingly, she says she is "more concerned" about what will happen next winter if social distancing is not adhered to as is happening now.

She suggests there will need to be "different tools" to protect the most vulnerable and support employers over the winter months.

Sam Coates from Sky News asks about public borrowing and whether the government will do whatever it takes economically to stop a spike in unemployment?

He also asks whether shielding children be able to return to school in September. He also asks about global cases.

Hancock says the governor of the Bank of England, the chancellor and the PM have been working very closely on the response.

He says it is "so important" they work together and the way the Bank of England has handled this was "exemplary".

"Looking forward we must manage the economy as best we can," he says.

Dr Harries says they are concerned about global cases, particularly in Africa as well. They are other countries where cases haven't peaked, she says.

On children, she says they know there are a large number of children who are not going to school because of concerned parents, but could go.

She says there are some who are "at very low risk" of getting Covid-19, but are at "significantly high risk" of being left behind in their education.

In September they hope to have all children returning to school, she adds.

Another question on the change to shielding advice from ITV's Emily Morgan, who asks what legal protections are on offer to those who are worried about returning to work.

Hancock says the legal framework in place to support staff at work has remained in place throughout the pandemic and that has not changed,

He insists that the government would not be saying it was safe for the most vulnerable to return to work - if the necessary procedures are in place - unless it was medically appropriate.

Harries says the onus is on both employers and employees to make the process work, conceding that many in the shielded group will be "fearful" and should take time to prepare to return rather than rushing into a decision.

But she says they need to "push" their employers to start having one-to-one conversations to reassure them that their surroundings are safe.

Laura Foster
BBC Health correspondent

The UK government says the advice on shielding can be relaxed because the chances of encountering the virus in the community continue to fall - one in 1,700 people are estimated to have the virus now, down from 1 in 500 four weeks ago.

The government says it has worked with clinicians, GPs, charities, the voluntary sector and patient groups on the changes.

"We know how difficult this period has been and the impact shielding has had on many people's mental health," says Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer.

"We believe it is the right time to relax some of the advice so people can start to regain a degree of normality once more in their daily lives."

But she added the advice on shielding could change again "if there are any changes in the rates of infection that could impact on this group".

You can read more analysis on the changes to shielding advice here.

The second question, from Mandy in Salisbury, is about the potential opening of "travel corridors", enabling people to be able to travel abroad without having to go into a 14-day quarantine when they return.

Hancock says the government is working "intensively" on the issue, including over the past weekend, and points out that the quarantine plan will be reviewed for the first time next week.

He says this is "information" that people really want to know about, as their summer holiday plans depend on it, but he says any decisions on "air bridges" will be based on epidemiological advice.

The BBC's Hugh Pym asks about the government's shielding announcement for England. He also asks about the ending of statutory sick pay for the shielded.

Hancock says it is important that people who have been shielding return to work in a Covid-secure environment.

We have taken this step based on the advice, he says.

Dr Harries says many are "frightened and anxious, understandably".

"The important thing here is the shielding programme is a population-based exercise so we know that infection in the community has come right down," she says.

On sick pay, Hancock says the relaxation of shielding advice has been made on clinical advice.

Moving on to questions from the public and Alan from Romsey, Hampshire, says the UK government has been borrowing "unprecedented" amounts of money. He asks: What infrastructure projects will need to be reviewed as a consequence of this level of borrowing?

Hancock says there will be "huge economic consequences" from the pandemic.

He says they need to accelerate infrastructure projects to help a "bounce back" in the economy.

He says unfortunately borrowing is going up but this is hopefully a once in a century event and therefore "we want to keep investing in our infrastructure".

Hancock says he will write to all those in the shielded group to update them and online guidance will also be updated.

He says that after months of relative isolation, he knows that it will take "time to adjust".

He also says that seven supermarkets have agreed to give the shielded priority delivery slots while he urges employers to be sympathetic to their needs to help them return to work.

The national shielded list will remain place, he adds, while the government stands ready to reintroduce restrictions if needed.

But, once again, he thanks all those who have enabled the shielding programme through "community spirit and emotional support".

Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, says coronavirus is new and they are continuing to learn about its transmission and "this will continue to grow over the coming years".

She says now community transmission of the virus is down, the shielding measures can begin to be relaxed.

To give people time to prepare the advice is in a "stepped approach", she adds.

From 6 July, those who have been shielding can meet groups of up to six people outdoors or form a support bubble.

From 1 August England will "pause shielding", meaning people can go out to places and see others - and go to shops, for example.

They can also return to work as long as their business is Covid safe, she says.

Hancock now moves on to the proposed changes in the guidelines for those vulnerable people who are shielding in England.

He thanks all those who have adhered to the rules, many of whom did not leave their homes at all between the middle of March and end of May.

He says this was a "big ask" but by doing so, those affected have helped to save lives.

Before handing over to Dr Harries, Hancock says the shielding guidance was only supposed to remain in force "as long as clinically necessary".

Hancock says the number of coronavirus patients in hospital has fallen below 5,000, with 4,869 in the last 24 hours.

He says the picture is "broadly the same" across the country.

As for fatalities, 15 extra deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the lowest figure since 15 March.

He says "each death is one too many" and the weekend figures tend to be lower - but he says it is good news.

He says all the figures are "pointing in the right direction" and although there is work to be done, progress is being made.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock starts by running through the latest figures.

He says eight million tests have now been carried out, with 139,659 tests either conducted or sent out in the last 24 hours.

Significantly, as revealed earlier on Monday, the number of new infections has fallen below 1,000 for the first time since the peak.

There were 958 new positive cases confirmed in the last 24 hours.

Image source, Pensioner

The government has just announced that restrictions on the 2.2 million people who have been “shielding” in England are to be significantly relaxed from early next month.

We are due to get more details from the health secretary and Dr Harries shortly.

But those designated as extremely vulnerable to the virus – either due to their age or because of serious health conditions – will be able to spend more time outside their homes.

From 6 July, they will be able to gather outdoors in a group of up to six people, including with family members not in their immediate household.

And anyone living alone, or single parents with children, will be allowed to form a “support bubble” with one other household of any size, in line with rules in place for the wider population.

This will mean that many grandparents will soon be able to see their grandchildren, albeit in a socially distanced way, for the first time since the middle of March.

And from 1 August, the shielding guidance is to be relaxed entirely, meaning those affected will be able to visit shops and places of worship and even return to their workplaces if it is safe to do so.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is making his opening remarks at the UK government's daily coronavirus briefing.

You can watch it by clicking on the play button at the top of this live page and we'll also bring you the latest updates here.

Image source, PA Media

Energy companies have been given the go-ahead to chase unpaid energy bills again - although they have been warned not to be aggressive in their pursuit.

Regulator Ofgem has told suppliers it is not in anyone's interests for an open-ended debt collection delay.

Many households are benefitting from coronavirus-related payment holidays.

But bailiffs have been banned from knocking on doors for another two months to collect other unpaid debts such as parking fines or council tax.

The government has said the current restrictions on civil enforcement officers would continue until 24 August.

We should be hearing from the UK government in the next 30 minutes, but let’s take a look at the latest from around the country first.

• Groups of up to six people in Northern Ireland can meet indoors from Tuesday, Stormont sources have confirmed to BBC News

• People shielding in Northern Ireland will be able to meet in groups of up to six outside and will be able to form a support bubble with one other household from 6 July, health minister Robin Swann has said
• A local lockdown in Anglesey could be enforced to get the coronavirus outbreak at a food factory in Llangefni under control, Public Health Wales has said
• Pub and restaurant customers in Scotland could be required to give their contact details as part of post-lockdown safety measures, Nicola Sturgeon has said
• UK PM Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Tuesday that the 2m distancing rule in England will be relaxed, with some conditions
• A new "no swab" saliva coronavirus test that lets people collect their own sample at home by spitting into a pot is being trialled in the UK

Image source, PA Media

Disney is preparing to reopen its Florida parks in July with new social distancing and other measures, such as temperature screenings, required reservations and face masks.

It comes amid a spike in cases in Florida and about two dozen other US states, as lockdown orders are lifted.

Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks will begin reopening on 11 July. The Epcot and Hollywood Studios parks are reopening on 15 July. The park's campground, hotel resort and shopping complex reopened on Monday.

"Though these may look a little different than in the past, there will be plenty of magic for everyone to enjoy," Disney said in a blog post.

In California, a coalition of unions representing 17,000 Disneyland employees has written to the state's governor asking him to oppose the park's plan to begin reopening in mid-July.

Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong have already been reopened.

Image source, PA Media

Pub and restaurant customers in Scotland could be required to give contact details as part of post-lockdown measures, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The move would mean people could be alerted if they come into close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus.

The hospitality sector looks set to reopen in the coming weeks with strict social distancing rules.

Sturgeon confirmed that trace-and-protect guidelines could be enforced. "It is something that may very well be necessary," she said.

In England, an announcement on the reopening of hospitality sector is expected on Tuesday.

You can read more about what pubs, bars and clubs might be like after lockdown here.