Boris Johnson reveals what people meeting outdoors should do if it’s raining

The Prime Minister told the daily Downing Street briefing: "I want to stress one final point which may be relevant today as the weather threatens, I think to take a turn for the worse.

"Some of you may be tempted to move the gatherings you've been enjoying outdoors indoors out of the rain. I really urge you: don't do that.

"We relaxed the rules on meeting outside for a very specific reason because the evidence shows the risks of transmission are much lower outdoors.

"And the risks of passing on the virus are significantly higher indoors which is why gatherings inside other people's homes are still prohibited.

"Breaking these rules now could undermine and reverse all the progress that we've made together.

"I have no doubt that won't happen."

Since Monday, groups of up to six people have been allowed to meet outdoors, including in gardens and parks, as long as social distancing is observed between those from different households.

Before Monday, people were allowed to meet in twos, and only in public parks.

It is still forbidden to go into other people’s houses while the pandemic persists. If you visit somebody, you are not allowed to stay overnight.

Barbecues are allowed, the Prime Minister said when announcing the new rules last week, as long as people are ‘scrupulous’ about washing their hands.