Drinkers would be encouraged to order pints on apps and pubs could be patrolled to ensure social-distancing measures are enforced.

Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next week on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels - with their reopening in England an ambition from July 4 to start reviving the ailing economy.

With the coronavirus alert level having been reduced on Friday, the Prime Minister believes he has some space to relax measures in a boost for the sector.

Whitehall officials said the review he ordered into the two-metre rule is expected to conclude next week.

The rule seeks to slow the spread of Covid-19 but would be a heavy restraint on the hospitality sector when it reopens, with many bosses favouring the distance being reduced.

Guidance drawn up by the sector and ministers is understood to encourage pubgoers to order drinks using apps instead of going to the bar, while current legislation was said to include the powers for patrols.

The UK Hospitality trade body said draft Government guidance allowed a "degree of flexibility" over menus being discarded after every use and for cutlery only to be brought out with food.

The downgrading of the alert level by the UK's chief medical officers, including Professor Chris Whitty, means transmission of coronavirus is no longer considered to be "high or rising exponentially".

Localised outbreaks of Covid-19 are still "likely" to occur, the advisers warned, and the virus remains in general circulation.