Boris Johnson has urged the public to not take socially distanced gatherings with friends and family indoors as the sunny weather disappears.

People are allowed to meet up outside in groups of up to six under new government rules in England – but poor weather forecasts have sparked concern that members of the public will now invite loved ones inside where there is a higher rate of Covid-19 transmission.

The prime minister urged people to stick with the lockdown rules as the weather ‘threatens to take a turn for the worse’ on Wednesday, saying welcoming groups indoors could ‘undermine’ the progress the country has made in the fight against coronavirus.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said: ‘I want to stress one final point which may be relevant today as the weather threatens to take a turn for the worse.

‘Some of you may be tempted to move the gatherings you have been enjoying outdoors indoors out of the rain. I really urge you, don’t do that.

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‘We relaxed the rules on meeting outside for a very specific reason, because the evidence shows the risks of transmission are much lower outdoors and the risk of passing on the virus is significantly higher indoors, which is why gathering inside other people’s homes is still prohibited.

‘Breaking these rules now could undermine and reverse all the progress we have made together.

‘I have no doubt that won’t happen, I think the British public will continue to show the same resolve in fighting the virus as they have throughout this outbreak.

‘We will get through this if we stay alert, control the virus and in doing so save lives.’

The Tory leader’s words of warning come as new figures claim the true UK coronavirus death toll has passed 50,000 – 10,000 more than official government figures.

Mr Johnson also took the chance to address the Black Lives Matter protests taking place across the globe at Wednesday’s press briefing.

Mass demonstrations have been sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed father who was filmed lying face-down on the road, begging for air with a white officer’s knee on his neck.

The prime minister said: ‘We mourn George Floyd and I was appalled and sickened to see what happened to him.

‘My message to President Trump and everyone in the United States from the UK, and one that I am sure is shared by the overwhelming majority of people around the world, is that, racism and racist violence has no place in our society.’

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