Speaking at a press conference this morning, Boris Johnson has revealed that "indoor performances" will return to England from August 1.

The announcement was part of a wave of new measures in which the government has further loosened restrictions in its coronavirus response. The announcement, which comes as the government moves into "Stage Four" of its coronavirus plan, suggested that indoor performances would be able to take place with socially distanced audiences, though full details on what restrictions will be required are not yet fully clear. It's not believed that Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will follow suit just yet.

Johnson made it clear during the press conference that these plans are conditional, and that restrictions will be put in place again if there are further outbreaks of COVID-19 or if pilot schemes show an increase in infection rates. The PM also said that he hoped that the UK would be able to "return to normality, possibly in time for Christmas," suggesting that sporting events would be able to host people in stadiums by October.