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PEOPLE won't be limited to "stay local" rules when lockdown is lifted today - as ministers confirmed there would be no restrictions on the distance people can travel in England.

Today lockdown rules are relaxed with people allowed to meet outside in groups of six, outdoor sport allowed again and the stay at home message officially canned.

Boris Johnson jogging in his local park this morning as lockdown rules are eased
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Boris Johnson jogging in his local park this morning as lockdown rules are easedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Parent and child groups can take place outdoors too - along with organised sports.

It was expected that the strict lockdown message would be replaced by a "stay local" order under fresh guidance.

Though there was not set to be a strict limit on the number of miles that people are allowed to go, and the rule was only ever going to be guidance, and wasn't stated formally in the roadmap.

However, this has been quietly dropped and people will face no limit on how far they can go from today, it was confirmed earlier.

But people are still being told to “minimise travel” wherever they can.

People will be urged to cut down on filling up their petrol and stopping at service stations when possible.

On minimising travel, minister Nigel Huddleston said today there were no restrictions on distance but insisted "this is not a free for all".

He told Good Morning Britain: "It means trying to be sensible about when you’re travelling - this is not a free for all yet, this is a slow and steady removal of restrictions.

"We want people to be careful (when they travel) if you do travel you have to meet them outside - no overnight stays yet.

"There’s no restriction in terms of how far you travel - it would be unfair if we put a cap.

"We do rely on the common sense of the British public in this. You can go and visit a loved one but we are not saying, day after day doing that and stopping off at petrol stations and shops."

Government sources said there was an understanding that people would go and see friends and family after so many weeks in lockdown.

It came as:

Boris wished the best of luck to “the young and not so young people” returning to sports fields.

He said: “I know how hard it has been to be separated from your team-mates, your coaches and the sports that you love.

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“I love sport — and I’m hopeless at it — but I can only imagine how excited you will be to be getting back out there.”

A golfer tees off at Allerton Manor Golf Club in Liverpool
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A golfer tees off at Allerton Manor Golf Club in LiverpoolCredit: PA
Swimmers get in the pool at Hillingdon Lido this morning
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Swimmers get in the pool at Hillingdon Lido this morningCredit: PA
Children play rugby on the new 3G pitch at Victoria Park Rugby League Football Club, Warrington
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Children play rugby on the new 3G pitch at Victoria Park Rugby League Football Club, WarringtonCredit: PA
Culture Sec Oliver Dowden meets girls eager to get back to sport today
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Culture Sec Oliver Dowden meets girls eager to get back to sport todayCredit: PA

 

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