MORE than half of Northwich Guardian readers will not be hugging their loved ones today, Monday, as coronavirus restrictions ease.

This is according to a poll posted on the Northwich Guardian Facebook page story, where, at the time of writing, 60 per cent of those who answered said they would not be giving out hugs.

From today, people in England can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30, and indoors in groups of six, or two households, with pubs and restaurants able to serve customers inside.

Overnight stays can take place and up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions and other life events.

The number of people who can attend a funeral is no longer capped, but determined by the size of venue.

Care home residents can have up to five named visitors, and there is more freedom for visits out of the home.

Social distancing guidance is also changing.

Contact with close family and friends is described as a matter of personal judgement, but people are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging.

Museums, cinemas and other indoor attractions can reopen, while the 'stay in the UK' restriction will lift and people will be able to go on holiday to 'green list' countries without having to quarantine on their return, provided they take one post-arrival test.

Boris Johnson and health experts have urged people to exercise caution when they head to pubs and restaurants as the lockdown eases despite concerns about the spread of an Indian coronavirus variant.

Although ministers believe the vaccines will be effective against the highly transmissible Indian variant of concern, there are worries about the impact of its spread on those who have refused to have a jab or not yet been offered one.

The Prime Minister urged people to treat the latest easing of restrictions with a 'heavy dose of caution'.

The threat posed by the Indian variant led the Prime Minister to warn that the final stage of England’s road map out of lockdown could be delayed from the June 21 target.

“We are keeping the spread of the variant first identified in India under close observation and taking swift action where infection rates are rising,” Mr Johnson said.