Changes to the rules on social gatherings will come into force on May 17 after Boris Johnson confirmed that step three of the roadmap will go ahead as planned.
It means that people in England will finally be allowed to meet up indoors in small groups, and much larger groups will now be permitted outdoors.
Changes are also being made to limits on the number of people allowed to attend weddings and funerals, while people will also be able to meet up for sports and support groups.
Step three of the government's roadmap out of lockdown will also see a return to international leisure travel and indoor hospitality and entertainment in a big boost for the UK's economy.
It comes as the prime minister confirmed that all four of the government's tests for easing lockdown are being met, and the UK's infection rate is at its lowest since September.
Here's everything you need to know about the changes being made to social gathering rules from next week.
The rules on outdoor social gatherings are changing to allow larger groups to meet up.
Gatherings of up to 30 people outside will be permitted from May 17 - but any larger social gatherings remain illegal.
Indoor social gatherings will also now be permitted - but only in groups of up to six people from different households, or larger groups of people from just two households.
Group exercise classes will be allowed to take place inside gyms, and other indoor group sports will also be allowed to take place.
Support groups and parent and child groups will have a limit of 30 people - but this limit does not include children under five.
People will be allowed to attend events at theatres, concert halls and conferences as they reopen - but with limits on the number of guests.
Indoor venues will be allowed to accommodate 1,000 people or half of its total capacity - whichever is lower.
Outdoor venues will have to operate with a capacity of 4000 people or half-full - again, whichever is lower.
Weddings, receptions and other life events will be allowed to be held with up to 30 people from May 17.
Religious ceremonies like bar mitzvahs and christenings can also go ahead with up to 30 people in attendance.
The cap on the number of people attending funerals will be lifted completely. The number of guests allowed will be determined by the capacity limits for individual venues.
In addition, the government has said that social distancing between close family and friends will not be a matter of choice.
Rather than advising against social contact with anyone except those in your own household, the government says it will be up to individuals to assess the level of risk associated with hugging and touching their loved ones.
