Pubs will not reopen until July 4 it has been announced.
Three separate Whitehall sources told the Financial Times that June 22 is the date being targeted in ministers' diaries.
And a group of ministers dubbed the “Save Summer Six” was said to be pushing for the July 4 opening to be brought forward - amid hopes beer gardens or outdoor areas could reopen early.
Breweries were even getting ready to deliver 250 million pints next week.
Boris Johnson's spokesman dealt a blow to thousands of boozers that were hoping they might get the green light to reopen early.
But Downing Street today insisted there is currently “no change” in the government's position on reopening pubs - which officially says July 4 is the earliest possible date in England.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said there was "no change" since yesterday, when he told journalists the government was "continuing to follow the road map" for easing lockdown.
The roadmap makes clear "some" pubs, hotels and similar venues can only reopen "no earlier than July 4" and subject to the five tests on beating the virus back being met.
The roadmap says: "They should also meet the COVID-19 Secure guidelines.
"Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part.
"Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows."
On Tuesday the PM's spokesman said: “The road map sets out our ambition to reopen pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes as soon as possible.
"But the date in the road map is from July 4 and that’s subject to the advice at the time."
He put particular emphasis on the word "from".
Non-essential shops are expected to reopen in England from June 15 ahead of wider hospitality venues from July 4.
Downing Street hinted that Business Secretary Alok Sharma will make a formal announcement on the reopening of non-essential shops later on Tuesday.
Asked if they will definitely open next Monday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Business Secretary is at the press conference later on, I don't want to pre-empt what he might have to say."
Yet the spokesman added that there was "no update" from chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty on the alert level, which remains at four - as it's been throughout the outbreak.
