The Prime Minister is expected to make an announcement on the new rule on Tuesday. Under the “one metre plus” plan, which would start from July 4, people would keep one metre away from others if they take additional measures such as wearing face masks or meeting outside.
Restaurants, pubs and bars would use partitions between tables that are less than two metres apart as part of the rule, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
Mr Johnson has been under mounting pressure to abandon the current two-metre social distancing rule amid warnings many businesses would not survive with the restriction in place.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak dropped a huge hint the two-metre rule would be relaxed in England as he visited shops in North Yorkshire on Saturday.
He said the outcome of a review by the Prime Minister into the social distancing measure would be “announced this week”, adding: “Obviously that's something that will make an enormous difference I think to many businesses who are keen to see a change.”
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES:
8am update: China reports 26 new coronavirus cases
China reported 26 further coronavirus cases on Sunday, with 22 of the new infections in Beijing.
There has been a spike in cases in the capital which has been linked to a wholesale food market.
A total of 227 people in Beijing have tested positive in the latest outbreak.
7.40am update: Australian state hit by spike in coronavirus cases
Victoria has extended its state of emergency until July 19 after a spike in coronavirus cases.
The state reported 19 new infections on Sunday, the fifth day of double-digit rises.
The surge in Victoria comes as other states have recorded few new cases for several weeks.
7.30pm update: Spain to welcome Britons without quarantine
Britons will be welcomed to Spain from today without the need to quarantine, the country’s foreign minister has said.
But anyone returning to the UK would still need to quarantine for 14 days under the Government’s rules for arrivals into Britain.
Foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told BBC News: "We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the EU as from June 21 freely and without the need for a quarantine.
"We're discussing with the UK authorities to see if they would do the same on their side, we nevertheless are doing this out of respect for the 400,000 British citizens that have a second residence in Spain and are dying to benefit from their homes in our country.
"We do hope they (the UK Government) will be sensitive to the 250,000 Spaniards that are also living in the UK and would like to enter the UK without a quarantine."
Green Brigade football ultras were kettled by police in George Square as they attended a Glasgow Says No to Racism event.
The left-wing Celtic supporters' group joined hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered at the demonstration in Glasgow city centre despite people being warned by police to stay away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers said the Glasgow Says No to Racism event was aimed at "sending a positive anti-racist message from Glasgow's George Square to the world on World Refugee Day".
Supporters included Stand Up To Racism, Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Positive Action in Housing, Afghan Human Rights Foundation, trade unions as well as the Green Brigade fans' group.
More than 500 people attended the rally, with stewards asking them to stick to social distancing guidelines by following markings on the square.
They had also been asked to wear masks and not to travel farther than public health advice allows.
Police vans lined the square, with more than 100 officers in attendance, including riot police and mounted officers.
Police horses and riot officers were used to control the Green Brigade's arrival in the square and when the event ended around noon they were kettled before being moved through the city, controlled by police horses and scores of officers.
The group were escorted to the Saltmarket area before dispersing.
Officers escort the Green Brigade to the Saltmarket area (Image: Copyright Mark Anderson)
Loyalists and members of a far-right group announced online on Friday night that they planned to head to the square to "protect statues".
A small group gathered at the war memorial during the rally as lines of riot police separated the two.
At the start of the rally, the crowd took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Later, names of people who died in police custody were read out and attendees chanted "no justice, no peace, no racist police".
Speakers said they "didn't come here for a fight" and spoke of securing greater rights for refugees and asylum seekers.
They added "no-one welcomes" the far-right group and called on police to "do their job".
There were some minor scuffles as police controlled people arriving and leaving but the rally was largely peaceful.
Protesters being kettled and moved on questioned officers over why similar had not happened to a far-right group involved in violent scenes at the square on Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent Alan Murray said: "Significant police resources were deployed at George Square to prevent the disgraceful scenes of violence and disorder witnessed in recent days.
"Those who turned up to protest were facilitated with an appropriate policing response and I would like to thank all officers involved for their professionalism in preventing trouble and maintaining public safety.
"Acting on information, at the end of protest around midday, officers contained a large group of people, including individuals identified as football risk supporters, who we believed posed a threat to public safety both within George Square and at other locations.
The Loyalist NDL group had urged supporters to gather in George Square for a counter demo
"We engaged with this group and, at their request, escorted them to the Gallowgate area of the city where they dispersed.
"As part of our response, Police Scotland also imposed an Order under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
"This allows police to search any individual or vehicle within the Greater Glasgow area and covers the city to help maintain public safety in all areas.
"Our robust response will continue across the country and anyone intent on causing violence and disorder should expect arrest."
At least six people were arrested on Wednesday following scenes labelled "disgraceful" by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Far-right loyalists targeted a rally calling for improved living conditions for refugees.
Police Scotland, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and the head of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken had called on the public not to gather at George Square this weekend.
Chief superintendent Hazel Hendren, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said on Friday evening: "Please do not come to George Square tomorrow.
"The lockdown restrictions remain in place and people should leave their homes only for very limited purposes.
"Anyone who wants to protest should find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe."
Top news stories today
Meanwhile, in London demonstrators have gathered for a third weekend of Black Lives Matter protests.
Scores of campaigners assembled at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, which took on a picnic atmosphere on Saturday, with groups sitting on the grass and various platforms set up.
A total of 14 police vans surrounded the scene, with Scotland Yard earlier warning previous protests have been marred by a "small minority intent on violence" after more than 100 officers were assaulted in recent weeks.
Separately, another group was filmed chanting "no justice, no peace" as people marched from Vauxhall en route to Parliament Square.
Green Brigade football ultras were kettled by police in George Square as they attended a Glasgow Says No to Racism event.
The left-wing Celtic supporters' group joined hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered at the demonstration in Glasgow city centre despite people being warned by police to stay away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers said the Glasgow Says No to Racism event was aimed at "sending a positive anti-racist message from Glasgow's George Square to the world on World Refugee Day".
Supporters included Stand Up To Racism, Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Positive Action in Housing, Afghan Human Rights Foundation, trade unions as well as the Green Brigade fans' group.
More than 500 people attended the rally, with stewards asking them to stick to social distancing guidelines by following markings on the square.
They had also been asked to wear masks and not to travel farther than public health advice allows.
Police vans lined the square, with more than 100 officers in attendance, including riot police and mounted officers.
Police horses and riot officers were used to control the Green Brigade's arrival in the square and when the event ended around noon they were kettled before being moved through the city, controlled by police horses and scores of officers.
The group were escorted to the Saltmarket area before dispersing.
Officers escort the Green Brigade to the Saltmarket area (Image: Copyright Mark Anderson)
Loyalists and members of a far-right group announced online on Friday night that they planned to head to the square to "protect statues".
A small group gathered at the war memorial during the rally as lines of riot police separated the two.
At the start of the rally, the crowd took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Later, names of people who died in police custody were read out and attendees chanted "no justice, no peace, no racist police".
Speakers said they "didn't come here for a fight" and spoke of securing greater rights for refugees and asylum seekers.
They added "no-one welcomes" the far-right group and called on police to "do their job".
There were some minor scuffles as police controlled people arriving and leaving but the rally was largely peaceful.
Protesters being kettled and moved on questioned officers over why similar had not happened to a far-right group involved in violent scenes at the square on Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent Alan Murray said: "Significant police resources were deployed at George Square to prevent the disgraceful scenes of violence and disorder witnessed in recent days.
"Those who turned up to protest were facilitated with an appropriate policing response and I would like to thank all officers involved for their professionalism in preventing trouble and maintaining public safety.
"Acting on information, at the end of protest around midday, officers contained a large group of people, including individuals identified as football risk supporters, who we believed posed a threat to public safety both within George Square and at other locations.
The Loyalist NDL group had urged supporters to gather in George Square for a counter demo
"We engaged with this group and, at their request, escorted them to the Gallowgate area of the city where they dispersed.
"As part of our response, Police Scotland also imposed an Order under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
"This allows police to search any individual or vehicle within the Greater Glasgow area and covers the city to help maintain public safety in all areas.
"Our robust response will continue across the country and anyone intent on causing violence and disorder should expect arrest."
At least six people were arrested on Wednesday following scenes labelled "disgraceful" by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Far-right loyalists targeted a rally calling for improved living conditions for refugees.
Police Scotland, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and the head of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken had called on the public not to gather at George Square this weekend.
Chief superintendent Hazel Hendren, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said on Friday evening: "Please do not come to George Square tomorrow.
"The lockdown restrictions remain in place and people should leave their homes only for very limited purposes.
"Anyone who wants to protest should find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe."
Top news stories today
Meanwhile, in London demonstrators have gathered for a third weekend of Black Lives Matter protests.
Scores of campaigners assembled at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, which took on a picnic atmosphere on Saturday, with groups sitting on the grass and various platforms set up.
A total of 14 police vans surrounded the scene, with Scotland Yard earlier warning previous protests have been marred by a "small minority intent on violence" after more than 100 officers were assaulted in recent weeks.
Separately, another group was filmed chanting "no justice, no peace" as people marched from Vauxhall en route to Parliament Square.
