The Welsh health minister, Vaughan Gething, has openly defied Boris Johnson on the potential need for a second lockdown either in the autumn or winter.

Boris Johnson disclosed plan for a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas, as he revealed steps to encourage people back to work in England and sweeping measures that will allow ministers to issue stay-at-home orders to tackle coronavirus outbreaks.

Scotland has finally begun to exit the coronavirus lockdown nearly two weeks after England.

Violent clashes have erupted between protesters and police forces in Belgrade as thousands protest against new COVID-19 restrictions in defiance of warnings.

England's most senior police chiefs have voiced deep concerns about the potential for widespread disorder once pubs and bars reopen on Saturday.

Around 140 police officers have been injured while responding to protests and illegal parties in the past three weeks, according to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Scotland's First Minister and the leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a significant easing of lockdown measures due to take effect on July 15.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce the significant easing of the lockdown tomorrow before the House of Commons.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has given strong indications that the government is seeking to end almost all lockdown restrictions by early next month.

Lockdowns may have averted more than three million deaths, researchers say.