The UK coronavirus death toll has increased by 53 to 45,554 – making it the lowest Thursday figure since lockdown.
The latest rise, shown on the Government's dashboard, is lower than it was on Wednesday when 79 more deaths were recorded.
It is the smallest daily rise on a Thursday since March 26 when 183 deaths were shown.
It comes as face coverings will be mandatory for shops and supermarkets, banks, building societies and post offices, the Government confirmed. But they will not be mandatory in places such as restaurants and pubs, hairdressers, gyms, leisure centres, cinemas, concert halls and theatres.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson arrived in Scotland earlier to meet with businesses hit by the pandemic, as well as military personnel to thank them for their efforts in the response to the crisis. Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said the "the sheer might of our union has been proven once again" in the last six months.
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