Pubs across England are set to reopen on July 4 under new social distancing regulations.

Sports fans around the country have been watching what few live games and competitions have been available from the comfort of their own home amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

It's a move that has been for the safety and health of those around the country and world with the respiratory pathogen sadly claiming the lives of tens of thousands.

However, it has now been deemed safe for certain hospitality businesses to reopen in a matter of weeks with pubs joining the likes of restaurants, hotels and hairdressers in being given the all clear.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the two-metre rule is being eased to a single metre and that two households will be able to meet indoors or stay over if they keep their distance.

Brilliant news for sports fans

It has been warned, though, that all these decisions are 'reversible' if they cause a spike in COVID-19 cases and put the country's health at risk again.

But if everybody follows the rules and keeps safe, then a summer of watching sport from your local looks to be both safe, legal and on the cards very soon.

It'll be music to the ears of Premier League fans in particular who have been enjoying the return of England's top flight after almost three months away from our screens.

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BT Sport, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime and even the BBC are ensuring that every post-lockdown game is being televised, helping to encourage fans to avoid the stadiums.

We're still a long way away from escalating from pubs to 60,000 football fans under one roof, but it goes to show that the progression is there and that there's light at the end of the tunnel.