A relaxation of lockdown measures has been announced - but what exactly will you be able to do from July 4.

It was long-awaited news for many struggling pubs, restaurants and hairdressers across Kent as they will once again be able to throw open their doors to the public.

A Kent-based hairdresser reacts to the lockdown rule changes

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a long list of services which can safely return to action provided they adhere to updated 'Covid Secure' guidelines.

From the same date, two households of any size will be able to meet up in any setting - inside or outside - with social distancing measures - and you can meet different families at different times.

People can now enjoy staycations with the reopening of facilities like camp sites and hotels - you can also stay overnight at a friend's house.

Previously you could only stay over in a 'social bubble' - a single household you had nominated and with whom social distancing rules did not apply - these rules remain in place unchanged.

But you can still only gather outside in groups of six and can only meet up with two households, including your 'social bubble'.

And you can meet up with vulnerable people but must be careful.

The two-metre social distancing rule will effectively be halved in the hope it might bring ailing businesses back from the brink.

Updated guidance states where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, people will be able to keep a social distance of "one metre plus" - meaning you will be able to get as close as one metre but should take precautions.

There was a sigh of relief for the hard-hit arts and cultural sector as it was declared cinemas, museums and galleries will also return.

The taming of lockdown locks will also now be possible as hair salons and barbers officially reopen.

Elsewhere libraries, social clubs and places of worship will also welcome back their communities, as will outdoor venues such as playparks, funfairs and theme parks.

Kent's business owners reacted to yesterday's news with cautious optimism.

Jamie Clark, co-owner of The Dead Pigeon pub in Rochester praised the announcement, believing it might not have been worth reopening without a relaxing of the two-metre rule.

Many in Kent's hospitality sector had raised concerns about reopening with the rule in place, which would have meant reduced custom and potentially running losses.

Rochester pub owner reacts to the news he can reopen from July 4

For pub owner Jamie the main issue will now be complying with the Covid Secure guideliness.

He said: "The one problem is all pubs, restaurants, hairdressers are going to rush out and have to get the same things.

"Its going to be like tolet roll shortages again. We have got a lot on order because we anticipated the fourth...we should be ready."

It was good news for Kent's tourism industry too after it was reported the pandemic had cost the £4 billion sector an estimated £3.2 bn.

But chief executive of Visit Kent Deirdre Well believes the hard work starts now.

She said: "I am sure these announcements today will help in terms of recovering those lost revenues but it won't be enough to match anything near what we were expecting.

"We will need to work really hard to get consumer confidence back up and running."

She predicts struggling businesses desperate to recoup losses will be going out of their way to show they are compliant with hygiene requirements and managing social distancing.

It was not all positive news for Kent's businesses yesterday however as the Prime Minister declared certain "close proximity" venues will remain shut where the risk of transmission is high.

These include nightclubs, soft-play areas, swimming pools, waterparks and bowling alleys.

Elsewhere gym owners were deeply frustrated at the news after preparing to reopen alongside other businesses.

Jay Atkins, owner of Core The Gym in Maidstone, had been hoping to reopen on July 4, and has been working hard rearranging his premises to adhere to social distancing measures and keep customers safe.

"The lengths that we've gone to to reopen - we've literally restructured that whole environment..."

Despite this, Boris Johnson announced only outdoor gyms would be included in the restart plans for now.

"I've got no words, I'm absolutely baffled," Jay said.

"The lengths that we've gone to to reopen - we've literally restructured that whole environment.

"And we aren't even being given guidelines, and we've go members' expectations to manage, they're looking to us for answers and we simply don't have them."

The Prime Minister has further warned the public to remain vigilant to stop the spread of the deadly virus and follow the rules.

He added the government would be keeping all these measures under review and would not hesitate to "apply the handbrake" or reverse decisions should the virus get out of control.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent