Ministers are preparing to ease restrictions on outdoor activities as the first stage in the country’s lockdown exit strategy. The changes are expected to be approved if COVID-19 infection rates keep falling but social distancing rules under which people must stay at least two metres apart will remain in place.

The move, which will see solitary sunbathers allowed to relax in parks and people to exercise more than once daily, follows new scientific advice to ministers that the risk of transmitting the disease outside is substantially lower than indoors.

But playgrounds and beaches where crowds congregate and the two-metre rule becomes harder to observe will still be off-limits.

Boris Johnson’s review of the lockdown on Thursday is not expected to lead to any more substantial changes until next month.

Public transport is likely to return to normal levels in June alongside the reopening of and non-food retailers, factories, warehouses and more construction sites.

Offices workers will probably still be working from home beyond next month, while pubs and restaurants are likely to remain closed for weeks longer.

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7.30am update: South Korea to ease lockdown restrictions

South Korea will further relax social distancing rules from Wednesday when the phased reopening of businesses gets underway.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said: “The government will allow businesses to resume at facilities in phases that had remained closed up until now, and also allow gatherings and events to take place assuming they follow disinfection guidelines.”

South Korea largely managed to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control with its strict lockdown and social distancing measures.

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