Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out his plans for the next stages of lockdown easing from August 1.

This includes letting employers decide whether it is now safe to bring back workers to offices from this date.

Mr Johnson also scrapped advice to avoid public transport in England with immediate effect, along with detailing plans to give local councils powers as of this Saturday to lock down local attractions and areas in cases of regional outbreaks, in a bid to avoid another national shutdown.

Read next: What is a 'local lockdown' - and how will they work?

He went on to say: "It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November, at the earliest, possibly in time for Christmas."

In answer to a question about whether families may be able to gather to celebrate Christmas this year, he said this was "what we want for everybody", adding: "It is not only a very important time for families, but also a very important time of year for the UK economy and the many millions of people working in sectors on modest incomes."

However, he stressed that mask-wearing and social distancing will continue to be the 'new normal'.

With regards to beginning to end working from home, Mr Johnson told the Downing Street press conference: "It is not for government to decide how employers should run their companies and whether they want their workforces in the office or not - that is for companies."

This is despite his chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, earlier saying there is "absolutely no reason" to change the advice.

August 1 is the same date that remaining leisure centres can reopen and indoor performances with live audiences can resume, with trials beginning for sports stadiums "with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn".

Some of Cornwall's leisure centres will begin opening this month, although some with reduced facilities.

Read more: Helston Sports Centre among eight to reopen this month (but Falmouth won't be)

From next month, wedding receptions for up to 30 people can begin again, with bowling, skating rinks, casinos and beauticians also able to reopen as long as they have measures in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Nightclubs and soft play areas, however, will have to remain closed.

Mr Johnson also said his plan for preparing the NHS for a potential second spike in Covid-19 cases coinciding with the flu season this winter, as "hoping for the best, but planning for the worst".