Pubs and restaurants could reopen now without risking public health

Pubs and restaurants could reopen tomorrow without posing the threat of a second wave of coronavirus. Sunetra Gupta, a professor of Theoretical Epidemiology, said there was a "strong possibility" that the hospitality industry could get back to work without posing a danger to the public.

Her claim comes as bars across the UK have taken advantage of an easing in the rules which allows them to serve drinks in takeaway glasses and bottles. Pictures posted on social media show people downing their first drinks from their locals since 47,000 pubs and bars were closed on March 20.

And the professor of Theoretical Epidemiology has urged a "rapid exit" from the lockdown as the deadly bug was "on its way out".

The controversial study has also found the UK's true fatality rate may be as low as 0.1 per cent.