Local authorities will have new powers to take action and control local outbreaks, and the ‘work from home’ government advice will be relaxed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the further steps that local authorities and the central government will take, as he reassures that Covid-19 is under control.

In the announcement, Mr Johnson said that local authorities will have new powers to impose localised lockdowns when needed.

As a result, local authorities their area and will be able to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events if they feel it is necessary.

Mr Johnson said that these powers will mean authorities can act more quickly where speed is necessary.

Draft regulations will be published next week to show how central government can also intervene with any localised outbreak issues.

Ministers will be able to close whole sectors or types of places in an area and can make stay at home orders.

It was announced that they can also reduce the maximum size for gatherings or restrict transport systems in local areas.

Mr Johnson added: “This local approach relies on having an effective testing regime in place.”

The government’s work from home lockdown advice will be relaxed from August 1, as employers will be given more discretion to make decisions on how their staff could work safely.

As the government relaxes these rules, employers can choose whether to continue working from home, or whether to make workplaces safer by following Covid-secure guidelines.

Mr Johnson said whatever employers decide, they should consult closely with employees, and only ask people to return to their place of work where it is safe.

More reopenings

In England from today, anybody may use public transport rather it being limited to essential travel.

However, people are asked to still consider alternative means when available.

On August 1, more venues will be able to reopen including leisure centres, bowling, skating rinks, casinos, and beauticians will be able to continue their service.

However, nightclubs and softplay areas will still need to remain closed, but this will be kept under review.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that schools, nurseries, and colleges will all be able to reopen at a full-time basis in September.

Weddings will allow up to 30 people.

Mr Johnson said that he hopes for everything to get back to normal as possible by November or before Christmas.

As a result, Mr Johnson said: "We will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sport stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn."

Conferences and other business events will also recommence.

The government will also look to allow closer contact with friends and family.

He said that while some may see this current plan as “optimistic”, the government will not hesitate to “put on the breaks”.

The Prime Minister announced that for the past three weeks the new cases identified each day has been below 1,000 with an r rate of 0.7 to 0.9

He added that the average daily death rate continues to steadily fall.

He said: “When we set out our plan to rebuild on May 11, we said our goal was to return to life as normal as possible, to as many people as possible as fast and fairly as possible.”

“That goal remains the same, but the tools we use to achieve it are changing.”

An additional £3billion funding for the NHS has been announced for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

With the funding, the Nightingale Hospitals will be able to remain open until the end of March, in case there is an influx of cases within the winter period.