Indian variant cases have soared over the last week and Public Health officials say almost half the cases are related to travel or contact with a traveller.
Hugging friends and family will be allowed from next week so long as people use their common sense, Boris Johnson will announce tomorrow.
The Prime Minister will tell Britons to use their personal judgement when it comes to embracing their loved ones from May 17, the Telegraph reported.
His comments will come as he confirms the third stage of his roadmap out of Covid lockdown at a Downing Street press conference.
It is expected that funerals will be permitted to take place for up to 30 people from May 17 - a month earlier than anticipated.
But rules for weddings and other life or commemorative events will update as expected, with only 30 guests able to attend indoor receptions until June 21.
Starmer leaves home on Saturday morning
There were small glimmers of hope for Labour, with the party performing well in Wales where it secured an effective majority and “stemmed the tide of Leave voters flooding away to the Conservatives”, according to English.
The party also did well in so-called “blue wall” traditionally Tory seats, but which voted Remain in 2016 and are now beginning to turn to Labour.
Starmer is likely to be pleased with Labour taking the West of England and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoralties.
And there were signs of a “Brighton effect” stretching out across the south coast as Labour took a swathe of seats on Worthing council, according to Hayward.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon hopes to push ahead with plans for second Scottish independence referendum
PM Boris Johnson has set himself on course for a constitutional clash with her in his defence of the Union
Ms Sturgeon admits majority hopes are on knife edge , but it is almost certain the SNP will win fourth term
49 of 73 constituency results declared in Scotland so far with SNP on 40, Lib Dems 4, Tories 3 and Labour 2
Some constituencies are still to be counted today, when the crucial regional list results will also be declared
It comes after the Conservatives racked up a string of stunning poll victories in local elections on Thursday
Sturgeon vows to press ahead with new Scottish independence referendum irishtimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishtimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.