Boris Johnson urges people to 'enjoy summer safely' when pubs reopen on July 4

Speaking from Downing Street, Boris Johnson stressed that people should enjoy the latest lifting of the lockdown measures safely as pubs and restaurants prepare to reopen on Saturday.

The Prime Minister encouraged people to support local businesses as the UK comes out of lockdown, but insisted that the country is not “out of the woods” yet and the public must do so in a safe way.

He commented: “My view, my urging to everybody, can be summed up in the phrase ‘enjoy summer safely’.

“I do want people to feel that it’s safe to go and enjoy themselves and enjoy hospitality.

“But it’s got to be done in a responsible way.”

Meanwhile Professor Chris Whitty told the public to “stick to sensible guidelines on drinking” if they are planning on heading to the pub this weekend.

The Prime Minister also outlined plans for local lockdowns as the Government moves away from blanket national measures.

An approach has been developed based on monitoring, engaging, testing, targeted restrictions and as a last resort, lockdowns.

Public Health England will monitor people's behaviour and the spread of the virus across the UK, with data made available to local authorities.

Mr Johnson said that scaled-up testing and contact tracing can control the virus and avoid more stringent measures.

On stage four – targeted restrictions – if the virus spread, activities will be restricted “at particular locations” with “individual premises” made to close.

If areas become hotspots for the virus, people who have spent time in those places will be tested and their contacts will be traced if they test positive.

The final stage, local lockdowns will be implemented if the previous measures do not stop the spread of the virus.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said social distances should be enough to control the pandemic but warned “we will see local outbreaks”.

Next week the Government will set out a timetable for the reopening of other sectors such as indoor gyms, swimming pools and mass gatherings and events.

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