England's golf clubs and tennis courts to reopen as part of lockdown easing measures

Travelling to the countryside, beaches and national parks will also be allowed in England

England's lockdown guidelines have been changed

People in England will now be allowed to spend more time outside, meet a friend at the park and view a potential new home as the Government begins to relax coronavirus lockdown measures despite the death toll continuing to rise.

Changes in the guidelines, which come into force from Wednesday, have caused confusion and anger - as people remain unable to visit relatives or friends at their homes, but can now be shown around a property for sale.

The move to unlock the housing market will enable buyers and renters to complete purchases and view properties in person, while visiting estate agents, developer sales offices or show homes will also be allowed.

The Government estimates more than 450,000 buyers and renters have been unable to progress their plans to move house since lockdown measures were introduced in March.

Unlimited exercise, sunbathing and meeting one person from another household in a public space will also be permitted in England from Wednesday, as long as the two-metre rule is respected, while golf clubs, tennis courts and angling have been given the green light.

Restrictions on how far people can travel to get to the countryside, national parks and beaches in England have also been lifted - but people have been warned to respect local communities, keep their distance from others and avoid hotspots or busy areas.

Advice on avoiding public transport aside from essential journeys remains in place, and staying overnight at a holiday or second home is also not allowed.

Fines for those who break the rules will now start at £100 in England, and will double on each further repeat offence up to £3,200. Stricter rules remain in place in the rest of the UK.

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph said a Treasury document estimated the UK's deficit could reach £337 billion this year because of the pandemic, compared to the forecast £55 billion in the Budget announced in March.

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