PEOPLE will be able to meet with six other people, and schools will reopen for early years from Monday.

Speaking at Downing Street’s daily briefing, prime minister Boris Johnson said the five tests set out to ease lockdown had been met.

Mr Johnson said: “At the start of the outbreak, there was significant concern that the NHS would not be able to cope, and that turned out not to be the case thanks to the heroic efforts of every who works for the NHS and the heroic efforts of the British people.

“On May 27, 11 per cent of mechanical ventilator beds in the UK were occupied by patients with coronavirus and that’s down from the peak of 41 per cent on April 10.

“And this significant progress means we are meeting the first test.”

The second test is to see a consistent fall in the daily deaths from coronavirus.

The prime minister said the daily death rate now stands at 256, down from 943 on April 14.

He said: “It is now the case there has been a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate and so the second test is being met.”

The third test is to receive the data from SAGE showing the rate of infection is decreasing to “manageable levels”.

Mr Johnson said an average of 2,312 new cases were confirmed in the last seven days, down from a peak of 5,066 in the first week of May.

This shows that the third test is being met, Mr Johnson confirmed.

He continued: “Our fourth test is that we must be confident that the range of operational challenges, including in testing capacity and PPE are in hand with supply able to meet future demand.

“Testing capacity has now increased to 161,214 a day. We have signed over 100 new deals with PPE suppliers around the world.

“We’re therefore satisfied that the fourth test is being met.”

The fifth test is that the government must be confident that any adjustment must not risk a second peak.

Mr Johnson said he cannot throw away all the gains made, so changes are limited and cautious.

“So, the result is, we can move forward with adjusting the lockdown in England on Monday.”

Nurseries, early year settings, reception, year one and year six in primary schools will open on Monday.

Two weeks later, schools will open for year 10 and 12.

“I know the toll the lockdown has taken on family and friends who have been unable to see each other.

“From Monday, we will allow up to six people to meet outside, providing those from different households observe social distancing rules.”