The PM takes each test one by one, starting with the NHS’ ability to cope, and he says it has coped "fantastically".

He says there were 283 admissions to hospital on Saturday in England, Northern Ireland and Wales - down from a peak of 3,432 on 1 April.

Mr Johnson also says that on Monday, 340 people across the UK were in ventilated beds in hospital - down from a peak of 3,301 on 12 April.

"These numbers provide confidence that we are still meeting the first test," he adds.

Boris Johnson begins the briefing outlining the five tests the government has insisted it passes before easing any lockdown restrictions.

They are: making sure the NHS can cope, seeing a fall in the daily infection and death rates, ensuring there is enough PPE and testing capacity, and being confident any changes won't risk a second peak.

The prime minister says: "It has meant that we have so far avoided the catastrophe of a second peak of infection."

The daily UK government press conference has started, with Boris Johnson taking to the lectern to lead it for the 16th time.

We will bring you all the updates here.

Image source, LINDSEY HOLLAND

We should be hearing from the UK government in the next few minutes.

But that gives you time to read the story of business owners anxious about reopening in England on 4 July after the PM’s announcement on lockdown easing.

Image source, British Rowing

For those who are missing their time keeping fit in the gym - and are disappointed that indoor gyms are not among those businesses allowed to reopen in England on 4 July, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has sounded a note of hope.

Mr Dowden tweeted: "Many people keen to hit the gym and keeping Britain fit is key in Covid battle.

"We've made lots of progress and I know steps businesses have taken to make their spaces & equipment safe.

"Subject to public health, our aspiration is to reopen gyms and leisure facilities in mid-July."

Earlier PureGym, one of the UK's largest operators with more than one million members, said it was "extremely disappointed" that indoor gyms would not be allowed to reopen on 4 July, urging the PM to "urgently" re-examine the evidence and talk to the leisure industry.

In a statement, the company said its facilities were on average the size of "five or six doubles tennis courts and are exceptionally well ventilated", allowing people to work and exercise "safely".

Image source, Getty Images

We will be hearing from the UK government shortly with its daily briefing on coronavirus.

While we wait, read our Reality Check on why there have been numerous outbreaks at meat processing plants and abattoirs.

Image source, Getty Images

Hundreds of monkeys are being sterilised in Thailand in a city famous for its macaque population, as the coronavirus measures leave them hungry and aggressive.

In Thailand's central Lopburi province, the monkeys have long been popular with tourists who feed them while posing for selfies.

But since Thailand closed its borders on 4 April to help control the spread of Covid-19 infections, the monkeys have struggled to adapt, Reuters news agency reports.

"They're so used to having tourists feed them and the city provides no space for them to fend for themselves," government veterinarian Supakarn Kaewchot says.

"With the tourists gone, they've been more aggressive, fighting humans for food to survive," she adds. "They're invading buildings and forcing locals to flee their homes."

Image source, PA Media

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

• A further 171 people who tested positive with coronavirus have died in the UK
• Boris Johnson has announced the easing of a number of lockdown measures in England from 4 July – including the reopening of pubs and restaurants – as well as a reduction in the social distancing rule from 2m to 1m
• Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething said the country’s government would continue to proceed cautiously on lifting lockdown restrictions despite the PM's plan
• The Scottish government confirmed it was aiming to reopen all schools in August
• Northern Ireland will introduce a “phased return” of MoTs and driving test services from 20 July

The Department of Health has confirmed that the number of people who have died with coronavirus following a positive test in the UK has risen by 171.

However, the new cumulative total of 42,927 is actually up 280 on what was announced yesterday - with the government explaining that an adjustment has been made to include earlier deaths "due to improvements in how the Covid-19 death data is processed in England".

Even if you go by the daily figure of 171, that is a big increase on the 15 that were announced yesterday, but that is typical for a Tuesday. So it makes more sense to compare with the figures announced previous Tuesdays - it was 233 a week ago and 286 a fortnight ago.

The number of new cases confirmed by a positive test continues its recent falls and the new daily number is 874.

El Celler de Can Roca has become Spain's first restaurant with three Michelin stars to reopen since a national lockdown was imposed in March.

So how did they do it?

Image source, AFP

Ahead of reopening, the team prepared the restaurant by implementing "a few small changes and a reorganisation of the space". Those changes are designed to help them work better and increase the traceability of their products.

Image source, AFP

All members of the team passed tests for the virus and have their temperature taken daily. This is on top of existing hygiene practices in the restaurant in Girona, north-eastern Spain.

Image source, AFP

"It is a message of optimism," says chef Joan Roca, one of three brothers who own the restaurant. He sees the reopening as a way of showing the world "that people are eager to come" and to enjoy haute cuisine again.

Image source, BBC News

Reacting to the news that hairdressers and barbers can reopen in England from 4 July, Richard Ward, who owns a salon in west London, says he has a waiting list of 2,500 clients waiting for appointments.

He tells the BBC that the reduction of the 2m social distancing rule to one metre was an "absolute godsend" for his business, which in ordinary times sees about 1,000 people a week.

He adds that he had been worried prior to the prime minister's announcement over whether staff would be asked to wear face masks and protective visors, which he says would have been "a big ask" for them in warmer weather.

Staff might have to take the names and contact details of everyone coming into the salon, he explains, so that if there is an outbreak of new cases involving customers or staff then everyone who has been in at that time can be contacted.

Image source, Getty Images

We have just had it confirmed that the UK government will give its daily briefing at 17:00 BST (16:00 GMT), led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Earlier today, the government confirmed it would be the last of the daily conferences, which have taken place - and been televised on BBC One - since mid-March.

Mr Johnson will be joined by chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance – the same line-up as the first press briefing on coronavirus.

Marianna Spring
Specialist disinformation and social media reporter

Image source, Reuters

The men’s tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus - the fourth player to become infected after playing in the Adria tour exhibition tournament he organised on Croatia's Adriatic coast.

Djokovic has been no stranger to conspiracies throughout the pandemic. He revealed during a Facebook live in April that he opposes vaccinations. He said he “wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine” should that be necessary to travel and compete in tournaments.

His comments fed into conspiracy theories about mandatory vaccinations that have been circulating on Facebook groups in recent weeks. One of them, which promotes conspiracies about Bill Gates and vaccinations, has attracted 160,000 members. The group praised Djokovic’s comments and used them to justify false claims about vaccinations.

A few days later, a video promoting conspiracy theories about 5G and coronavirus was shared by Djokovic's wife, Jelena. It was labelled by Instagram as false information.

In June, the Serbian tennis player called coronavirus safety protocols, planned in order for the US Open to take place, "extreme", suggesting they would make the Grand Slam tournament in New York very difficult. These comments were similarly shared in spaces promoting conspiracies about the severity of Covid-19.

Read more about the four positive tests at the Adria event here.

Kerry Allen
China media analyst

Image source, Getty Images

The latest Covid-19 outbreak in Beijing has led to some swift changes in Chinese eating habits.

So far, 249 people in the capital have tested positive since an individual tested positive on 11 June.

State media believe that the virus was first detected on chopping boards used for imported salmon, and so media are highlighting that there has become widespread nervousness around eating seafood.

Popular website The Paper today interviews wholesalers who import seafood to China, who talk of the drastic fall in sales, with supermarkets and restaurants suddenly removing salmon from their shelves.

Medical specialists are also suddenly seeking to reassure the public that they will not catch Covid-19 from eating crisps after eight workers at a Beijing-based PepsiCo factory, which produces Lays crisps, tested positive over the weekend.

Medical specialist Feng Zijian says that the virus survival time is “very short” on dry food at room temperature.

Image source, PA Media

People have been reacting to news of the changes to the coronavirus lockdown in England that come into force on 4 July.

A spokeswoman for travel trade organisation Abta said the easing of restrictions to allow people to take domestic holidays is a "step in the right direction", but the sector remains "in a perilous state" and needs further support to help it recover.

She added that a "more comprehensive road map" was urgently needed to set out time frames for relaxing international travel restrictions, so businesses and customers could plan ahead.

But Mark Sesnan, the managing director of GLL, which runs 270 leisure and sports facilities on behalf of councils, said No 10 had made a "potentially catastrophic mistake" by not allowing community leisure centres, indoor gyms and swimming pools to reopen on 4 July.

He said these facilities remaining closed would be bad for business and jobs. He accused the government of "ignoring" the health of the nation "when it has been proven that conditions such as obesity and diabetes significantly increase the risks associated with Covid-19".

Image source, PA Media

Meanwhile, the Rt Rev Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, who leads the Church of England's Recovery Group, welcomed the news that places of worship can reopen from 4 July, saying there would be "real joy" as the faithful begin to come together again, but that understandably people would be "cautious".

She stressed the Church would not be returning to normality "overnight" and said it had been preparing detailed advice for parishes on when it is safe and practical to hold services, and that online, dial-in worship should continue.

Image source, AFP

The number of coronavirus cases and Covid-related deaths continues to rise fast in much of Latin America but there is some positive news from Peru.

• In Mexico, 759 people were reported to have died in the 24 hours up to Monday evening, raising the total number of Covid-related deaths to more than 22,500. The worst-affected area is Mexico City, where officials had to postpone plans for a reopening of businesses. Among those who have tested positive for the virus are footballers Rafael Baca and Jonathan Rodríguez, who play for top division club Cruz Azul
• Peru, which has the second-highest number of cases in Latin America after Brazil, had some good news on Monday as it registered its lowest number of new cases in 42 days. The news came as shopping centres in some parts of the country reopened after three months
• Brazil has the second highest number of Covid-related fatalities in the world. Intensive care units are feeling the strain with Amazonas state in the north; Acre in the north-west; Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe in the north-east, and Espirito Santo in the east struggling the most

Image source, Getty Images

The billionaire boss of a giant German slaughterhouse at the centre of an outbreak of coronavirus infections has apologised.

Clemens Tönnies - nicknamed "the meat baron" - owns the Tönnies meat processing plant near Gütersloh in western Germany, which has been locked down after more than 1,500 employees tested positive.

Tönnies, 64, called it "an existential crisis for the company".

The Tönnies plant, founded as a family business in 1971, has grown to become one of Europe's biggest meat producers. Today it employs about 16,500 people in Germany and Denmark, and 50% of the meat is exported.

The plant in Rheda-Wiedenbrück near Gütersloh slaughters and processes about 20,000 pigs daily. But now production has been suspended as the authorities race to contain the virus outbreak.

In response, German authorities are now bringing back local lockdown measures for two districts.

Bars, museums, cinemas and gyms must all close in the Gütersloh area, and restaurants can only serve meals to take away. Stricter social distancing measures are back in force, meaning people can only meet one person from outside their own household in public. Schools and nurseries for 50,000 children have been closed. Similar restrictions are to be imposed on neighbouring Warendorf too.

Germany has placed a second region under lockdown following the outbreak of coronavirus infections from a meat-processing plant.

Warendorf in the big western state of North Rhine-Westphalia has joined the neighbouring district of Gütersloh in reintroducing local measures, state health minister Karl-Josef Laumann has announced.

Reality Check

After the statement by the prime minister earlier, the SNP's Ian Blackford firstly pointed out Boris Johnson's announcement applied in England only (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own timetable for easing the lockdown) and then urged caution over the virus "taking off" again if people do not remain cautious.

He pointed out that Germany was experiencing “a spike in cases” - but what do the figures show there?

Germany eased its lockdown earlier than the UK, and in recent days it has seen a significant rise in its R number.

The R number refers to the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to. If it’s below 1 then the infection is slowing, if it’s above 1 it’s speeding up.

In Germany, the R number has jumped from 1.06 to an estimated 2.76 – as a result of several local outbreaks (including at a meat processing plant, as we've been reporting).

The UK’s R number is currently between 0.7 and 0.9.

When it comes to daily cases of coronavirus (over the past 7 days) Germany has had an average of 574 confirmed cases, compared with 1,209 in the UK.

Image source, PA Media

The big story of today in England is that a whole raft of changes are going to come into force from 4 July, meaning people will be able to do things they haven't done in more than three months.

We've put together a run down of everything that's changing.

And for an update on what you can do in the other nations of the UK, that's here for Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland.