Couples living apart might be allowed to hook up during lockdown under new Government rules, it has been reported.

Ministers are reportedly planning to announce changes to the so-called social bubbles over the next few weeks.

Under current rules, couples who do not live together can only visit each other’s home if they have formed a social bubble – but only under some particular conditions.

In England, single adults living alone – or single parents whose children are under 18 – can form a support bubble with one other household.

If, for example, a couple lives in separate shared accommodation, they cannot meet indoors under current restrictions because the social bubbles rules apply only if one of the households is a single one.