����ý

Shops across England are allowed to re-open today after coronavirus lockdown rules have begun easing.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "very optimistic about the opening [of shops]", but stressed, "the most important thing is public safety and the health of our country".

People are being encouraged to wear face masks and stay two metres apart to follow the social distancing rules.

Some shops will also have plastic screens to protect staff, and shops will limit the amount of customers allowed in the store.

In Northern Ireland small shops and shopping centres re-opened on Friday.

First Minister Arlene Foster agreed to lift a number of lockdown restrictions, because the R-number - which measures the rate of infection - is currently thought to be between 0.5 and 0.9 in Northern Ireland.

While food shops and pharmacies, as well as other essential retailers including banks and petrol stations, have been allowed to stay open during lockdown, non-essential stores, such as book shops, mobile phone stores and fashion outlets, have been closed since 23 March.

Places like restaurants and hairdressers are still closed. This is because these venues attract lots of people in a confined space, meaning it might be easier for the virus to spread.

There is no official date for when shops will re-open again in Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has laid out a four-phase plan to ease lockdown rules. The re-opening of shops would happen in phase two, and Scotland is currently in phase one.

Wales' Economy Minister Ken Skates says he would like to see non-essential shops reopen the week of 22 June, if the R rate continues to fall.

The next review of lockdown rules will happen on 19 June, so the re-opening of shops could be discussed then.