With the Government's coronavirus threat level being officially downgraded, what does that mean for changes to life under lockdown across Kent?

It's anticipated that the two-metre (6ft 6ins) social distancing rule will be reduced to one metre (3ft 3ins) in order to pave the way for pubs and restaurants to reopen as early as next month, though there is the possibility that masks will have to be worn in some circumstances.

Many shops and services across the county started trading for the first time in months on Monday, with measures in place to maintain social distancing following a relaxation of lockdown rules.

Schools started to welcome pupils back at the beginning of the month.

When the alert system was first announced in May, the Government also published a three-step plan to ease lockdown restrictions which saw all but non-essential shops stop.

There are five grades to the warning system, with five being the highest level meaning lockdown is needed to contain the virus and prevent healthcare services from being overwhelmed.

Level four indicates social distancing measures are necessary as transmission is 'high or rising exponentially'.

Level three - the level the Government now places us - means the virus is in general circulation but restrictions can be gradually reduced.

Level two would indicate minimum social distancing and enhanced tracing while level one suggests Covid-19 is no longer present and normal routines can resume.

The Government published its three-step plan to relax restrictions alongside the alert system.

It allows for a phased easing of lockdown, from permitting unlimited exercise to the gradual reopening of schools and non-essential shops.

The third step, which the Government indicated was to take place 'no earlier than July 4' allows for remaining services such as hairdressers, beauty salons, bars and leisure centres to reopen.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is now said to be preparing to end the national lockdown in England in the next two weeks.

This week has seen many Kent attractions reopen their doors to visitors across Kent, including the Aspinall Foundation's wild animal parks Howletts, near Canterbury, and Port Lympne Reserve, near Hythe.

Negotiations on 'air bridges' to allow foreign travel without quarantine are expected to be completed within days, though the number of overseas destinations may be limited.

Mr Johnson has made no secret of his intentions to see all children return to school full-time by September.

Speaking during a school visit to Hertfordshire on Friday, the PM said: "I'm making no bones about it - I think that's the right way forward for our country.

“I want a world in which, as far as possible, provided we can make classrooms safe, and I think we can, I want every child, every pupil, every student, back in September. I’m sure we can get it done,”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told yesterday's Downing Street conference that advice for schools on planning their full reopening in September would be published in the next fortnight.

Class sizes could be expanded from 15 to normal sizes, with social distancing eased, according to Mr Johnson, 'as the science allows.'

Changes to shielding rules affecting more than two million vulnerable people are also expected to be outlined as early as next week.

NHS England advises that all patients on the shielding list will be contacted by June 30 to confirm the government's plans.

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