BORIS Johnson has announced Brits can hit the high streets again from next week as he set out his plans for the staged reopening of shops in England at his Downing Street press conference.

The Prime Minister has said Britain is heading into "step two" of his plan to get the country moving again.

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The UK will reopen thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres next month.

Outdoor markets and car showrooms could be reopened as soon as they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines from June 1.

All other non-essential retail from June 15 if the government's tests are met.

The PM said: "There are careful but deliberate steps on the road to rebuilding our country

"We will set out our formal assessment of the five tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week as part of the three-weekly review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.

"But because of the progress we are making I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move to step two.

"We know that the transmission of the virus is lower outdoors and that it is easier to follow Covid secure guidelines in open spaces."

Mr Johnson said new guidance was being published for the retail sector "detailing the measures they should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards".

He added: "Shops now have the time to implement this guidance before they reopen,"

"This will ensure there can be no doubt about what steps they should take.

"I want people to be confident that they can shop safely provided they follow the social distancing rules for all premises."

Mr Johnson suggested last night that lockdown measures could be eased further as he spoke during the Downing Street press conference.

He confirmed the country appears to be "in a position to move to step two" on his road map back to some kind of normality amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped a further relaxing of measures will coincide with the return of the first classes to school.

The second stage is hoped to begin on June 1 – next Monday – if the government is satisfied with the progress made in controlling the pandemic.

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Step two includes the potential reopening of non-essential shops, while the government is considering the possible expansion of social "bubbles" so people can meet friends and family they haven't seen in months.

Mr Johnson said: "We will set out what moving to step two means for other areas, such as non-essential retail and more social contacts over the course of the next week.

"We are making good progress, but that progress is conditional, provisional."

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