UK households received some respite on Sunday this week, as the Prime Minister announced the country had “passed the peak” in COVID-19 infections. People can start to emerge from the nationwide lockdown this week, with new rules around public interaction and exercise coming into effect from Wednesday.

Can you visit friends in small groups from different households?

The Prime Minister aired a pre-recorded address on Sunday which laid down upcoming changes to the UK-wide coronavirus lockdown.

Amongst the measures, which came thanks to a reduced infection rate in the UK, is increased freedom outdoors, with “unlimited” exercise from Wednesday.

Increased social interaction is also amongst the new rules, as long as people observe distancing measures.

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Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed people may meet one member of another household as long as they remain at least two metres apart.

The minister said people could go as far as meeting one new person every day in this way, as long as they do so outside.

He said venturing outdoors to join friends is “safer than being inside” but added it is “not zero risk”.

The Government is currently advising individual visits only but said it is considering allowing people to socialise in exclusive “bubbles” in the months to come.

The new guidance would allow people to mingle with other households from June 1, depending on the R – reproduction – rate of COVID-19.

If it is low enough, people will be able to socialise with other friends or family members, but exclusively them.

In the meantime, Mr Hancock emphasised the Government would take “baby steps” in tackling infection rates.

He said: “We are making some baby steps, some relaxations but we’re doing it very, very carefully – because we don’t want the R rate to get above one and infections get out of control again”.

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From Wednesday, people will be able to take part in “unlimited” exercise outdoors.

The “unlimited” part of the new measures allows people to play sports with members of their household or sunbathe in a local park.

They may also drive to other destinations if they choose, as the Government axed driving restrictions.

While the latest advice may come as a godsend for the millions of people stuck at home, many have branded it confusing, with mixed messages from different ministers.

Matt Hancock denied the latest round of measures had prompted confusion, however, and said they were an “appeal to people’s common sense”.

He said: “The principles are really clear and the public have been really sensible so far.

“This is why an appeal to people’s common sense is very, very sensible in and of itself.

Mr Hancock added: “This is all about applying straightforward rules with common sense, based on the facts about this disease which we do know – like that it spreads less outside, but still does.”

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