FURTHER easing of lockdown restrictions will take effect from Saturday - with more businesses allowed to reopen.

The Government has updated its guidance on what people in England will and will not be able to do from August 1.

It comes as restrictions on pubs, restaurants and cafes were lifted in most of England earlier this month - more than three months after lockdown began. 

Here's the updated guidance and new rules from this weekend:

- Employers will have more discretion, in consultation with their employees, on how to ensure people can work safely – working from home is one way to do this, but workplaces can also be made safe by following COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

- The clinically extremely vulnerable will no longer need to follow advice on shielding, though should still take particular care to follow the social distancing guidelines when meeting people.

- Bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos can open.

- Conference and exhibition centres will be able to reopen in order to enable pilots for business events to take place – they should not yet be open fully to host events more widely.

- Indoor performances to a live audience can begin to take place, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidelines and subject to the success of pilots that are taking place as soon as possible.

- Further pilots of larger events can take place in venues, including in sports stadia and business conferences.

- Small wedding receptions - sit-down meals for no more than 30 people – can take place, subject to COVID-19 Secure guidance.

- All remaining close contact services – such as facial treatment and make up application – can restart, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

But the guidance also stipulates what you should avoid doing under current restrictions including how many friends you meet at once.

It remains the case that you should not:

- Socialise indoors in groups of more than two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub.

- Socialise outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from exclusively from two households or support bubbles.

- Interact socially with anyone outside the group you are attending a place with, even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship

- Hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction – even if they are organised by businesses and venues that are taking steps to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines

- Stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household).

The new rules will come into force as the Health Secretary Matt Hancock today warned of a "second wave starting to roll across Europe".

The Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam is expected to announce today that the period will increase from the current rule of seven days to 10 days in England.

Mr Hancock warned that a new spike in coronavirus cases is "clearly" beginning to emerge in Europe as he said "we've got to do everything" to prevent it reaching the UK's shores.