Wedding Receptions Are Given The Green Light From This Weekend

Under the new measures, wedding receptions in the form of a sit-down meal in a COVID-secure location for up to 30 guests will now be permitted.

The changes will come as welcome news to anxious brides and grooms, as well as staff at beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas and barbers across England.

The last-minute U-turn meant that many salons restarting close-contact beauty treatments such as eyebrow threading and facials had to cancel their appointments with only a day's notice, leaving customers in the lurch.

Bowling alleys, casinos and soft play centres will also be able to reopen, the PM announced.

The news comes as the government introduce bigger fines for those failing to wear a mask in places where it is compulsory.

Fines will double to a maximum of £3,200 for those who repeatedly flout face covering rules.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent. That is why we are strengthening the enforcement powers available to use against those who repeatedly flout the rules.

He continued: "At every stage I have said our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional and that it relies on continued progress against the virus.

"Today, we are able to announce some further changes which will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed. However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus."