AS OF August 1, employers will be able to decide whether or not it is safe for people to return to work instead of working from home.

The Prime Minister announced this in a recent statement as the country gradually comes out of lockdown.

The government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance - who had previously warned against easing the work-from-home guidance - told the committee that the winter would be a "very complex time" with people going down with other illnesses which were not Covid-19.

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In his address, the Boris Johnson said it will be up to employers in England to discuss with workers whether it is safe to return from August 1.

From that date, most remaining leisure centres will also reopen and indoor performances with live audiences can resume if pilots are successful, while trials will begin for sports stadiums to reopen from October.

Mr Johnson - who also immediately scrapped the advice to avoid public transport - said Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty had taken part in a Cabinet discussion before the relaxation was announced.

The news has once again divided opinion, with some believing that it is still too soon to return to office spaces.

Mark Palmer, from Reading, said of the news: "Will we see court cases against employers when staff are forced to return to unsafe workplaces and get sick?" while Louise Matron Keane asked if it would be deemed 'corporate manslaughter'.

However Mr Johnson said that ultimately "decisions are taken by the elected politicians".

It means that from next month, wedding receptions for up to 30 people can resume, and bowling lanes, skating rinks, casinos and beauticians can reopen as long as they have measures in place to reduce Covid-19 transmission.

Pilots to reopen sports stadiums will include the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield from July 31 and the Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival from August 1.

In an attempt to prevent another nationwide shutdown, Mr Johnson said local authorities in England will have new powers from Saturday to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.

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Ministers will also be able to close entire sectors or types of premises in an area and issue "stay at home" orders, Mr Johnson said.

He also set out his plans to prepare the NHS for a potential second spike in Covid-19 cases coinciding with the flu season this winter, saying the nation must be "hoping for the best, but planning for the worst".

An extra £3 billion funding for the NHS in England, and extra cash for the devolved nations, will allow Nightingale hospitals to remain open and for private hospital capacity to be used until the end of March.