Boris Johnson has made an announcement that signals more easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Of course people across the Felixstowe area, and indeed the whole UK, have had to make radical changes to their lives since the pandemic began in March.

Trimley and Felixstowe railway stations may well be seeing an increase in footfall as the official advice on using public transport has changed immediately.

Previously trains and buses were meant to be for essential journeys only, however from Friday this ruling is to be scrapped opening up the network once more. Face coverings are still mandatory however.

The work-from-home guidance is being scrapped on August 1 as people are encouraged to return to the office.

In the Downing Street briefing the Prime Minister said: "Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.

He explained that could mean "continuing to work from home, which is one way of working safely and which has worked for many employers and employees".

With indoor gyms, pools and other sports facilities reopening from July 25, the PM said that August 1 most remaining leisure settings, such as bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos, and close-contact services such as beauticians, could resume.

However, soft play areas and nightclubs will remain closed beyond that date.

Sports stadiums and conferences may be reopened in October as well providing there are no large outbreaks, which means football crowds could be back, with Felixtowe and Walton averaging attendances of 290 for their home games at Dellwood Avenue, which can hold 2,000 people, although only has seating for 200.

But it will mean fans agreeing to a new code of behaviour that includes not attending if they potentially have symptoms of coronavirus or have been exposed to a person who has tested positive; social distancing must be observed in seating arrangements; and crowd management plans should be in place, including the controlled entry and exit of fans and one-way systems.

Pilot tests will begin as early almost straight away with a view to having fans in stadiums as soon as possible.

Mid-table Felixstowe have not played since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. but professional sports like football and cricket have resumed behind closed doors after the coronavirus lockdown.

Now the plan is to pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadiums with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn.

Nationally, the first pilot projects will be held at a county cricket friendly matches between Surrey and Middlesex at The Oval on July 26-27, the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre from July 31, and the Goodwood horse racing festival starting the next day on August 1.

Meanwhile, there may be better news for the Seasiders as the Football Association is hoping to give the clearance for grassroots football to be played as early as next weekend as FA bosses are believed to be signing off on their proposals submitted to the Government for all 11-a-side matches to return.

The Prime Minister hopes that the country will have returned to "significant normality" by Christmas.