HUGS between friends and relatives, more visits for care home residents and socialising inside a pub are all things to look forward to from tomorrow – but the joy around the lifting of lockdown restrictions may be qualified by the shadow of the new Indian variant of the coronavirus.

Cases of the new variant have almost tripled in the last week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly encouraged those in areas of the country where the variant is spreading, and who are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination but have not yet come forward for their jab, to do so.

And he has indicated that the threat of the new variant could prevent the full lifting of restrictions which is set to come in on June 21.

The British Medical Association has expressed serious concerns about the decision to continue with the easing of restrictions from tomorrow, pointing out that the group of people not yet vaccinated are those most ‘socially mobile’.

Amongst the big changes set to come in from tomorrow (Monday 17) are that pubs, bars and restaurants can serve customers indoors, people can hug, six people or two households can meet indoors with overnight stays allowed, groups of 30 can meet outdoors and care home residents are allowed up to five named visitors and more freedom visits out of the home.

30 people will be allowed at weddings, receptions and other life events, while limits to funerals are no longer capped but will be determined by the size of the venue.

Thirty is also the magic number with regards to support groups or parent and child groups (not counting under 5s).

People will be at their own discretion with regards to social distancing, and although hugging is permitted, caution is urged.

Social distancing (the two-metre rule) will remain in social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings.

The leisure and entertainment industries will be delighted that the latest step on the roadmap is going ahead.

The days of having to sit outside freezing cold to enjoy a pint will be a distant memory as indoor hospitality resumes.

Also indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas can open while theatres, concert halls, conference centres and sports stadiums can all reopen.

Anyone wanting something more relaxing can now head to the steam rooms or saunas while hotels, hostels and B&Bs can re-open.

Education has been one of the worst affected sectors during the pandemic. From tomorrow, face coverings are no longer required in secondary schools, but some headteachers are nonetheless urging students to continue to wear them as they move around campus.

In higher education, university students can enjoy face-to-face teaching.

The following countries have been placed on the UK’s Green List, meaning you won’t have to quarantine upon coming back:

Portugal, Israel, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Iceland, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands and St Helena, Tristan de Cunha and Ascension Island.

However there are a number of procedures to follow including taking a private Covid test in their holiday destination before returning home, fill in a passenger locator form online before leaving and take a private PCR test on day two or before their arrival in England.