Two households will be able to meet inside, government expected to announce

Families and friends set to be able to visit each other's homes, provided there is no hugging – but it is unclear if they will be allowed to stay overnight

The ban on people from different households meeting together indoors is likely to be eased, as Boris Johnson also reopens cinemas, museums and art galleries.

Families and friends would be able to visit each other’s homes, provided they stick to social distancing rules – with no hugging – but it is unclear if they would be allowed to stay overnight.

The prime minister is expected to announce there will be no limit on the numbers who can gather indoors, in England, as long as they are members of just two households, although the details were still being agreed.

It is believed that ministers recognise they cannot defend lifting restrictions, from 4 July, to allow people to stay in a hotel, but not at the homes of close family members or friends.

In the same way, without further relaxation, it could remain illegal to eat with grandparents, but allowed in a café or restaurant.

However, the change will fly in the face of advice delivered by the chief medical officer when only those living in single-adult homes were allowed to form a so-called “support bubble" with one other household.

At that time, just two weeks ago, Chris Whitty, said limiting that relaxation to people living alone reduced the risk of coronavirus infections spreading.

Until now the lifting of restrictions imposed in March has focused on activities outdoors, where scientists are confident the risk of infection transmission is lower.

However, Northern Ireland has already gone further, allowing groups of up to six people to meet indoors, hailed by Arlene Foster, the first minister, as a “new milestone”.

Mr Johnson is expected to tread a similar path, as he tells MPs that cultural life in England will restart with museums, art galleries and cinemas – as well as pubs and restaurants – able to reopen from 4 July.

Visitors are expected to have to pre-book tickets for venues that will also have to introduce one-way systems, spaced queuing and improved ventilation.

Domestic holidays will return, with hotels, holiday homes and bed-and-breakfasts able to reopen as the two-metre social distancing rule is halved.

Ministers are also believed to be to agreeing a list of up to 10, mostly EU countries that Britons will be able to visit on holiday without having to go into quarantine for two weeks on their return.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, claimed no decisions on lifting restrictions had been made ahead of a Cabinet meeting today, although No 10 has effectively announced most of them.

“I appreciate many people do want to see things starting to get back to whatever that new normal will be,” he said.

“If we are able to say to pubs, and other establishments, that they are able to open in the near future, we will be issuing guidelines as well.

“So that they can have some confidence about what is expected of them to create a safe environment.”