Johnson to allow hugging and indoor venues to reopen in England from 17 May

Spread of Indian Covid variant has not deterred PM from return of cinemas and indoor hospitality and permitting mixing at home

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Friends and family will be able to hug and mix indoors from next week, while cinemas and museums can reopen, Boris Johnson is to confirm on Monday despite growing concerns over the spread of the India coronavirus variant.

Scientists warned this weekend that cases are doubling in some areas where the variant, B1.617.2, has been detected. More deprived areas and those with large ethnic minority communities where vaccination rates may be lower are most affected, they said.