Boris Johnson is set to give a press conference at 5pm today as lockdown eases in England.
The Prime Minister will host his first address from a new £2.6m studio in No9 Downing Street, accompanied by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance.
He seems likely to swerve any questions about our revelations from Jennifer Arcuri - who told the Sunday Mirror they had a four-year affair.
Instead he's expected to focus on lockdown easing and new public health messaging.
But rather than celebrating England's new-found freedoms, he is expected to issue a stern plea for people not to get carried away.
The government has changed its Hands, Face, Space slogan to say Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air - emphasising the importance of staying outdoors when meeting up.
Indoor gatherings remain banned until at least May 17, and possibly later.
Ahead of the press conference, Boris Johnson - who exercised in Hyde Park this morning with dog Dilyn - warned a spike in cases could be seen as parts of Europe are struck by a third wave of infections.
The Prime Minister said: “I know many will welcome the increased social contact... But we must remain cautious, with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout.
“Despite today’s easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules."
Millions of people can be reunited with loved ones from today as the next stage of the Government's roadmap to resuming normal life is reached.
Families and friends in England will be allowed to meet with six people or two households outdoors, including in parks and private gardens, after months apart.
The 'stay at home' order ends meaning they can travel for longer distances to meet up outside - as long as they don't stay overnight.
Outdoor sports like golf, tennis and organised team sports including grassroots cricket and football will also resume as lockdown restrictions begin to be lifted.
Ministers are warning people to remain cautious amid fears that the public, frustrated that restrictions will still be in place for months to come, could relax too much.
Minister for sport and tourism Nigel Huddleston said people can travel cross-country in England to visit parents outside.
But he warned they must not stay overnight - and should stock up with food and water before they travel.
He told Sky News: "It is allowed, but it needs to be outside in the garden.
"If people are travelling they need to think very carefully about how they travel. Where they fill up with petrol - if they need food and so on, probably get that locally before you go on the journey.
"Because what we don’t want is people inter-mixing in different parts of the country to any greater degree than necessary.
"And when you do go and visit a friend or a relative, make sure you stay in those gardens or stay outdoors and obey those rules."
Ministers are also urging people from different households not to hug - as social distancing remains in place until at least May 17.
Mr Huddleston said: "Please don’t risk the health of your loved one by hugging them and risking the spread of the disease.
"When you’re hugging somebody you’re in incredibly close proximity to them - so please just be sensible."
Tonight's press conference comes as Boris Johnson faces criticism over the cost of the new £2.6m media studio, decked in Tory blue.
It was originally designed for his Press Secretary Allegra Stratton to give White House-style updates. Playbook today reports her three-times-a-week televised briefings will finally begin in May, months behind schedule.
Labour said £2.6m could have paid for free school meals for 5,900 children for a year - or 58,000 over the Christmas holiday and February half term.
It could also cover starting salaries for 107 police officers, 127 Army privates or 104 newly-qualified nurses.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: "It sums up Boris Johnson's warped priorities that he has spent millions on a media studio while taking money out of the pockets of nurses.
"There was apparently no money to feed hungry children during the school holidays but when it comes to feeding the Prime Minister's ego there is a blank cheque, with the British taxpayer picking up the bill.
"Instead of wasting taxpayers' money on pointless vanity projects the Prime Minister should give our NHS staff the pay rise that they deserve."
