'Social bubbles' of small groups could be early step out of UK lockdown

Boris Johnson believed to be looking at plan to let people add close family to their households

• Coronavirus - latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

"Social bubbles" allowing people to mix with a fixed small group of family and friends could be a part of easing the lockdown, Downing Street has hinted, but experts warned that tougher isolation and quarantining measures may be needed at the same time as any relaxation of restrictions.

Boris Johnson's official spokesman signalled No 10 was open to the idea on Wednesday, saying it was "very alive to the issue of social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing".