a big step back to normal life as most of the uk lifts restrictions on indoor gatherings. in england, most of scotland and wales, up to six people can meet indoors — not a moment too soon for the hospitality industry. it is absolutely great to be back. it's great to welcome all of my staff back. they've been on furlough for the last five months, so it's nice to be back as a team, it's nice to be seeing our regulars once again. a vaccination drive in bolton, where cases of the indian covid variant are rising — infections have gone up 77% across england in five days. downing street says concern about the rise in the indian variant could delay a review of the next easing of social distancing measures in england — but today travel is allowed once more to a few countries.

iam in i am in all the fear where british tourists have started deriving now that her days broad are no longer legal. but holidays abroad. and they've had to wait over a year — the first hug between mother and daughter. loud explosions our other main story tonight... the us calls for an end to the violence in israel and gaza after one of the heaviest nights of air strikes so far. and coming up on the bbc news channel... fans return to sporting venues, with racing one of the first to allow spectators through the gates today, as restrictions are eased across england. good evening.

welcome to the bbc news at six. three of our four nations took big steps towards normality today as restrictions on indoor gathering and social contact have been lifted. the prime minister told people they must enjoy their new found freedoms with "a heavy dose of caution" as the number of cases of the indian variant of the virus continue to increase. and with it has come a warning from downing street that the review into the next lifting social distancing measures social distancing measures may be delayed. so what is allowed from today? in england — pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve people inside — cinemas, museums, softplay centres and hotels can reopen. groups of six people or two households can meet indoors — and stay overnight. 30 people will be able to gather outdoors. the changes in wales are similar to england — but it's still only extended households that are allowed to meet in homes, and outdoor groups of up to 50 will be allowed for organised events like weddings. in scotland six people from three households will be able

to socialise indoors at home. outdoors it can be up to eight people from up to eight households, rising to 12 on most of the islands. these changes do not apply to glasgow and moray — which are staying in level 3. there's no change today in northern ireland, but it's hoped a review on thursday will lead to an easing on may 24th. in a minute we will head to scotland and wales to hear how the day has unfolded there. but first, here in england businesses are welcoming these steps forward on the road to normality, though, as our business editor simonjack reports, there are still significant challenges. back indoors. today's reopening of inside drinking was a moment to celebrate for returning regulars at at this pub in bury st edmunds. it is so different to be back amongst company that you know and are friendly with and everybody knows your name. landlady heather was glad to see them and her staff after a challenging few months. it's absolutely great to be back.

it's great to welcome all the staff back that have been on furlough for the last five months, so, it is nice to be back as a team. it is nice to be seeing our regulars once again. we are down, financially, we are down, but we are surviving and we hope to survive. thank you very much. first time i've been able to do this, and this, for six months. it is monday lunchtime, it is not exactly heaving, but this is a very big moment, particularly for venues that haven't had any outside space, and that 60% of them. but they're still operating at a fraction of the normal capacity, barely breaking even. onjune the 21st, is when it is hoped restrictions can be totally lifted and, if that doesn't happen, today's reopening could still fall a little flat. one of the uk's biggest brewers and pub owners, greene king, has been busy replenishing pub cellars. we've delivered 17 million pints of beer to around a500 customers.

the boss warned that, if the june date slips, with government support measures due to start tapering off at the end ofjune, they may need to be extended. we all want to get back to standing up in the pub again. i certainly do. but, until that is the case we are not going to be profitable. therefore, in my view, if we move from the 21st, the government has to move the support as well, on business rates but also on furlough. there is a lot of cost running through our businesses when we are not trading normally, as we would have done pre—pandemic. staffing is also a real problem. this hotel and restaurant can't find people confident enough to return to an industry that has often been the first to shut when the virus that grows. —— virus threat grows. we are sitting in the building here at the north which should be open, but we are not open, because we haven't been able to recruit, enough people, to be able to run a seven day rotor. so, across our portfolio, we are losing about 8—10 trading days a week. this is happening across

town and across the uk. the way forward from here is not as clear as it seemed even in recent history. simonjack, bbc news, bury st edmunds. in wales, today marks the return of a wider social life — as up to 30 people can now meet indoors. eating and drinking inside is back on the menu too. travel to a small number of countries is also allowed, although against advice of the welsh government. we'll see how it's all gone down in cardiff with hywel griffith in a moment — but first to scotland where — with the exception of glasgow and moray — lockdown easing from level 3 to level 2 has brought some degree of normality, though all to be approached with caution. alexandra mackenzie reports. are you glad to be back? yes! stepping closer to normality. gym classes restarted in much of scotland today, the easing of lockdown restrictions means more interaction both outside and inside.

some families have been reunited, 83—year—old grace has dementia. for over a year, neil has longed to visit his mum in her care home, with no physical distancing. it is so nice to be able to hold her hand again. just have her beside you. i think she just felt comforted. i could tell the minute i held her hand, she clenched my hand. how did that feel for you? it was amazing. it just felt so lovely, lovely moment. pubs can now reopen and alcohol can be served across outside across most of scotland but not in glasgow or in moray. you were expected to reopen today but late on friday afternoon you heard that wasn't going to happen. how has that impacted you? we've had the team in working on friday to get the place shipshape, to get everything stocked up to get the public in to the pub again because it hasn't for months, and then finally to find that out

after everyone has done theirjob and they can look back and see, we are ready to go, to get told no, that is gutting. the neighbouring council area of east renfrewshire moved down to level two restrictions, but the rising infection rate is causing concern. and many choirs can now sing outside, as the national youth choir did on edinburgh's calton hill. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. the day has come. one and seven, 17. bingo is back, but not with a full house, and social distancing means lots of tables kept empty. many here, like avril, have had a double dose of vaccine, and so, feel ready to socialise again. itjust lifts your spirits. it's made me feel great. i've missed it so much. it's not as if i even win! the rules in wales means you can now see people for bingo or brunch,

but you can't meet in your home. only extended households or bubbles can mix. hugs still aren't allowed here either. covid rates here in wales are the lowest in the uk, but the rules some businesses here have to follow are stricter than elsewhere. for example, the cinema in this art centre can only fill 20% of its seats. alternate rows and four seat gaps mean that only a lucky few can see today's first screening. absolutely ecstatic. it's the best way to see a film, the only way. i've missed it so much, but i like to sit with people and see it on a _ big screen, ratherthan in my own living room. the pandemic has changed viewing habits. but, here, they believe that people will opt for the cinema, not the sofa. i don't know about you, but i sit on my phone, and i have had the cat coming in, knocking over my cup of tea, all sorts of things, so you can't concentrate, you can't really experience the film properly if you are just watching it at home. there's too many distractions. all eyes now will be on the numbers

and if today's reopening will be followed by a new wave in this pandemic. hywel griffith, bbc news, cardiff. today's joy and relief at life beginning to return to normal is tempered by concern about the rise in cases of the indian covid variant. the health secretary matt hancock has told mps that it has now spread to 86 local authorities. our health correspondent dom hughes reports from bolton, which has seen a sharp spike in infections since mid—april, with the indian variant making up the majority of new cases. personal details there. in the town with the highest infection rates in the uk, there is plenty of demand for the vaccine, through social media and word—of—mouth, the message has spread that jabs are available. do you know if you are definitely eligible? no. you are waiting to find out? yeah, hoping i am. i think they are doing 16 and over in bolton, and we come under the bolton postcode, so yeah. hopefully. i have got my parents who are in their 60s, and both of them have got underlying health conditions, so i am hoping that that is going to be one

of the eligibility criteria, there. everyone over the age of 16 i think is eligible for the pfizer vaccine in bolton, so, anyone 16 plus, i'm assuming, can come down. but here, there is confusion because not everyone over 16 can get the vaccine. national guidelines say that, from tomorrow, only those over 37 can get a jab unless there are good clinical reasons. health officials in bolton say that they are sticking to the rules. every single person that comes forward will have a clinical discussion with a clinician and that decision will be made on site. the pictures of people in the queue who are looking young, some of those will have been turned away, because they are not eligible. as you can see, plenty of people are now queueing up to get the vaccine here in bolton. over the weekend they managed to give the jab to more than 6200 people, so, clearly, this big push on vaccinations in bolton is bearing fruit. the health secretary stressed that, faced with the indian variant, vaccines remain a vital line of defence. anyone who feels hesitant

about getting the vaccine, right across the country, just look at what is happening in bolton hospital, where the majority of people in hospital with coronavirus were eligible for the jab but had chosen not yet to have the jab, and have ended up in hospital, some of them in intensive care. bolton, one of the most deprived boroughs in england, is faced with a growing number of infections linked to the indian variant. the latest figures show another steep rise in cases across the uk. the key test will be whether extra vaccines and more testing will be enough to prevent those infections leading to further hospital admissions. dominic hughes, bbc news, bolton. the latest figures on coronavirus showjust over 1,979 new infections recorded in the past 2a hours, and five deaths. on vaccinations — the number of people who have had a firstjab has risen above 36.5 million. that's nearly 70% of the uk's adult population. over 20 million people

have had both doses, and that is getting close to 40% of all adults. chris mason is at westminster for us. we are hearing more and more about this indian variant and downing street something not so sure this evening about the next review of the easing of social distancing yellow thatis easing of social distancing yellow that is absolutely right. they are sounding definitely rather hesitant. the road map has been to so far since it was published in the road map has been to so far since it was publishe- since it was published in debris with england — since it was published in debris with england with _ since it was published in debris with england with the - since it was published in debris with england with the other - since it was published in debris - with england with the other nations around the uk following a broadly similar path but now there is a look ahead to five weeks today during the zist, ahead to five weeks today during the 21st, the anticipated removal of all remaining restrictions. we have already heard the prime minister sounding hesitant about that particular day and today further hesitancy from downing street. they are not committing themselves to publishing some work on social distancing that was due at the end of this month. it may now be

delayed. so where are we right now? we are in a position where the government has learnt the hard way about sounding too optimistic. listen to the language, they are being very cautious and listen to their actions. are we seeing the prime minister out pulling pints in front of the cameras? no. are we seeing ministers pretending to be waiters with camera crews in tow? we are not. instead they are emphasising caution and trying to manage our expectations given last year they made lots of promises and frankly they weren't able to keep them when the virus cruelly surprise us. what will happen in five weeks' time? the short answer is we simply do not know because we don't know the effect of this unlocking, or the effect of the indian variant.- effect of the indian variant. thank ou. effect of the indian variant. thank yom let's — effect of the indian variant. thank yom let's talk _ effect of the indian variant. thank you. let's talk to _ effect of the indian variant. thank you. let's talk to fergus - effect of the indian variant. thank you. let's talk to fergus walsh, l effect of the indian variant. thank l you. let's talk to fergus walsh, our medical editor. how worried should we be about this indian variant? firstly we be about this indian variant? firstlj ., we be about this indian variant? firstl, ., . we be about this indian variant? firstlj ., . ., we be about this indian variant? firstl ., . ., ., , firstly how much more transmissible is this new variant, _ firstly how much more transmissible is this new variant, the _ firstly how much more transmissible is this new variant, the more -

is this new variant, the more infectious, the more cases will rise. we will have a clear idea in the next week or two but it is already beginning to displace the dominant tent variant in some hotspot areas. far more importantly than cases is how well will the vaccines build up against this new variant? 20 million people are fully immunised and they are among the most vulnerable to coronavirus. the early signs are reassuring from the lab work mostly that two doses may not currently getting infected with the indian variant and should stop you getting serious ill. what happens to covid hospital admissions in hotspot areas is the thing to watch and uk wide, there are fewer than 1000 covid patients in hospital. we want to build a wall of immunity against coronavirus and to do that we have to finish this nhs immunisation campaign and there are still around 16 million adults who are yet to have a single dose. iq. -- thank —

are yet to have a single dose. iq. -- thank yon _ the ban on foreign holidays, for people living in england, scotland and wales, has been lifted, and replaced with a traffic light system, grading every destination according to risk. the green list currently includes these 12 countries and territories, from which people arriving in britain don't have to quarantine. portugal, always a popular destination with uk holiday—makers, has seen a surge in bookings. check our transport correspondent, caroline davies, is in out caroline davies, is in the fair albufeira on the algarve. caroline, what's the mood in the tourist spots in portugal this evening? there is a tangible sense of excitement in the cafes response and bars in albufeira. they had a difficult year last year with british tourists early travelling for a portion of the summer. they are hoping they will have an advantage over other destinations as the first tourists arrive. we are going to portugal! we are not all going on a summer holiday, but, from today, going abroad for one is no longer illegal.

this, after a long time of empty arrivals halls, will be a sight for sore eyes for many in the travel industry. it is a change of environment. we have been stuck at home for literally two years, so, just getting out and doing something different, being in a different culture, getting some sunshine, relaxing. international travel has returned, but with only 12 countries on the green list, the destinations are limited, but the paperwork and cost is not. portugal requires a pcr test on the way out, as well as two covid tests to get back to the uk, but today's 8:40am flight to faro, was 90% full. we are now flying at over 35,000 feet. it feels quite familiar to be on board a plane again, but also quite strange, not least being in such close proximity to other people. for some, the adventure began before the plane landed. arlo's grandmother hasn't seen him for nine months. we've done zoom christmas zoom birthdays, zoom mother's day. so, yeah, i mean, he started crawling and walking and

talking since she last saw him, so he is a completely different little boy. this was a longed—for arrival, for many. not least for those with businesses that rely on british tourists here, and peter has been running his cafe in albufeira for 23 years. when they said we were on that green list, yeah, choke in the voice, it really was. it is massive, absolutely massive, as i don't think a lot of us could carry on much further, you know, withoutjust going irretrievably in debt. we will get through, everyone will. we are all in it together, and the algarve will bounce back. the beaches are still empty but after a difficult year, some are returning to the sunshine. julian and jordan arrived this morning after a hard year working in a supermarket. feeling great, literally great. normality, a bit of normality. after months of anticipation, today was a much hoped for reunion. caroline davies, bbc news,

albufeira, portugal. the time is nearly 20 past six. our top story this evening. a big step back to normal life as most of the uk lift restrictions on indoor gatherings. a year on from the peak of the first covid wave, we speak to a major hospitals about planning for the future. coming up on sportsday on the bbc news channel, 60—minute football matches, cricket under domes, and golf courses disappearing into the sea. the us secretary of state has called for an immediate end to the violence between israel and the palestinians in gaza. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has urged israel especially children. it follows one of the heaviest nights so far of air strikes by israel of targets

in the gaza strip. palestinian militants are also launching rocket attacks into israel as the fighting enters its second week. with the latest here's our middle east editorjeremy bowen. ina week in a week of renewed conflict, the echoes of the other israel against hamas wars are echoing all the gaza and southern israel. in gaza, there are air strikes at night. and funerals in the morning. these are the daily rituals of death, like the last war in 2014 and the ones before that. thejust like last war in 2014 and the ones before that. the just like dead last war in 2014 and the ones before that. thejust like dead men were militants from islamicjihad. a smaller group that cooperates with hamas. another ritual, putting up the night's files. this was a mattress factory in gaza's biggest refugee camp. fewerjobs in a desperately poor place, when the ceasefire eventually comes. this man said that they cannot get to the

resistance. they should hit those who hit them, not the poor people sleeping in their homes. in a synagogue hit by a hamas rocket in the israeli town of ashkelon, the observe the feast of weeks, and israel has casualties much lower by people under fire feel the same. it is a sad time for us in ashkelon. we are always under bombing. i hope that it will finish past. in jerusalem, the western wall plaza was almost deserted. this is the holiest place forjews to pray. it is usually packed on religious holidays like today but some of the worshipper said people were scared to go out. the great dome of the al aqsa mosque is one of the most sacred places for muslims. you can see how close it is to the wall. above the wall is the golden globe of the rock, both muslim shrines

built on the site of an ancient jewish temple. these sites are all also national symbols, and a of tension here raise the agreed level so high that it led to war. the events of the last week have shown a couple of things. first of all, the power ofjerusalem to ignite this conflict and, hamas have sent a strong message to palestinians that, as far as they are concerned, they are they are real protectors here in early city, even though hamas hq are they are real protectors here in early city, even though hamas h0 is 60-70 early city, even though hamas h0 is 60—70 miles away by the sea in gaza. our gaza producerfilmed his drive to work this morning. you could see the bomb sites. yet palestinians and israelis could be equally secure, they might have a chance of peace, but right now, they don't. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. let's take a brief look at some

of today's other news. a police watchdog report into the handling of a senior republican's funeral in belfast lastjune has found the police service of northern ireland prioritised public security over enforcement of covid—19 regulations — but did not show any bias. there was outrage when around 2,000 mourners attended bobby storey�*s funeral, at a time when strict covid limits were in place. the metropolitan police says it's investigating some of its officers and staff for looking up details of the sarah everard case on the force's computer system. the 33—year—old was killed after going missing while walking home in south london in march. the force said accessing files "without a legitimate purpose" could be a criminal offence. the prince of wales has launched a campaign to encourage people to plant a tree to mark the queen 5 platinum jubilee next year. three million free saplings will be given to schools and community groups around the uk in the coming months, as part of a project celebrating her 70—year reign. a year ago we visited addenbroke's hospital at the height of the first coronavirus wave —

witnessing the severe pressure it was under. today the hospital is treating very few covid patients — and none in intensive care. addenbrooke's is now shifting back to routine care — including how to deal with the huge backlog of cancelled operations — while also making sure it's prepared for any future surges of coronavirus. our health editor hugh pym reports. an intensive care unit during the first covid peak in april last year. they had to get through another one in january. but today at the same hospital, addenbrooke's in cambridge, there are no covid patients here and just two recovering in other parts of the hospital. they can focus on the patients they would typically see before the pandemic, including some who've had organ transplants. jane works in critical care and says they're relieved to be getting back to normal, but they do worry about a possible future wave of covid cases. i think everybody is nervous —

nervous, obviously, as we start to come out of lockdown and what might happen, and we're very tentatively wanting to be really, really careful. we all want to see our friends and families, we all want to try and get back to normal. we just want to be really, really careful. this ward was one of several used just for covid patients. now it's back to treating those with a range of conditions. try to bend it as much as possible. eric has a seriously fractured leg after a motorbike accident, and he's being helped back on the road to recovery. at times, the pain, horrendous. i must admit, staff can't do enough for you. they've all been fantastic. three months is going to be a long time before i can walk again. they're building for the future, and fast. this prefabricated structure is being kitted out as a ward, and will open at the end

of this month. it's all about freeing up beds. these new units will be for those who are close to being sent home and need lower levels of care, and that will mean more space in the main wards for the sickest patients. during this phase, it allows us to free up that capacity to do even more elective surgeries as we try to recover from the pandemic. but equally, it frees up that capacity within the main hospital if we experience more covid. and they're waiting for more news of the indian variant. it does appear at the moment as if it's more transmissible. importantly, it does also appear that it still responds to the vaccine, so there's a real opportunity for us. but it's obviously a concern that we'll see more cases in the future. more wards like this are being built with over 100 new beds. with a backlog of routine work to get through and possibly more covid, they know they're going to need them. hugh pym, bbc news, cambridge. in most of the uk we can

now mix indoors and go inside pubs and restaurants — but for many it's been the first time family and friends have been allowed to hug their loved ones in months. jon kay has been with one mother who's not been able to embrace her daughter for over a year — until today. finally, the day viv has been dreaming of. this is a bit bizarre, isn't it? exciting. and also very emotional. yes. gosh. you want to go home, don't you? yeah. viv spent the pandemic on the nhs front line. we filmed her in february, when she was exhausted and missing her kids. i am a hugger. and i can't wait to hug... i can't wait to hug my family. well, double vaccinated,

today is the day. the only person i have hugged in the last six months is my husband, so it's like, oh, this is going to be, this is, wow. can't wait. to see my mum, give hera hug. waiting, her daughter, teresa. she also works for the nhs and has had both jabs. you just miss that personal contact. you know? i am not an overly huggy person, but when it comes to my mum, she's my best friend and, yeah, ijust need to hug my mum! and cuddle you. baby, it's so good to see you. and cuddle you. don't cry. i am crying, because it's been a while. i'm so excited. laughter it is awesome, it is awesome. it's lovely. to have that, to be able to do that connection. it is weird. very weird, yeah.

i think it'll take a bit of getting used to. yeah. they are still being cautious, though. only hugging one another, and only outside. maybe social distance makes the heart grow fonder. jon kay, bbc news, southampton. let's have a look at the weather which is less lovely! in let's have a look at the weather which is less lovely!— which is less lovely! in the last few weeks _ which is less lovely! in the last few weeks it — which is less lovely! in the last few weeks it feels _ which is less lovely! in the last few weeks it feels like - which is less lovely! in the last few weeks it feels like the - which is less lovely! in the last - few weeks it feels like the weather has got stuck in a rut. and that rat has got stuck in a rut. and that rat has been a rut of low pressure. rainfall totals have been mounting. biggest hurdles in topcliffe, north yorkshire. we are onlyjust past the halfway point in the month and there is no end in sight to this unsettled weather. the radar shows a storm is pushing eastwards across england,

running in ahead of this trough line. forwales, the running in ahead of this trough line. for wales, the west midlands, through the afternoon, there have not been that many showers. more of you will have enjoyed fine weather. this evening and overnight comedy show is that are falling through the day will gradually subside, with some clearing skies overnight temperatures down to between five and eight, similar to the night. tomorrow in the morning we will see cloud and thundery rain spreading to wales and south—west england back for the rest of the uk, by and large, a dry start with decent morning sunshine to look forward to and through the morning, though shower clouds will grow and by the afternoon, shah becoming widespread, heavy and thundery with hail mixed in, and some downpours possibly northern ireland with heavy showers across wales, the midlands and southern england again. wednesday, more showers, this time the biggest showers will be across eastern scotland and eastern england, where they will be slow—moving in nature so some areas could get large rainfall totals back to the west, the best of the dry weather, wales,

south—west england,