Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set out the one requirement needed before schools can reopen.
Pupils in schools and colleges in England, except children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, have been told to learn remotely until mid-February due to tighter restrictions.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
The Sunday Times said Education Secretary Mr Williamson was expected to rule out a return to the classroom after the February half-term break and would prepare parents for a prolonged period of home-schooling ahead.
A Government source told The Times: "We are in this for the long haul. We are going to start giving parents more information so they can start managing their expectations.
"Although we have not arrived at an exact date when we think schools will go back, it will not be after half-term.”
As recently as Thursday, Mr Williamson said that he hoped schools would be able to reopen before Easter, although Downing Street pointedly declined to endorse his comments.
Matt Hancock added that while he hoped schools in England could reopen by Easter, it would come down to the levels of infection in the community at that time.
Find your nearest vaccination centre by using your postcode below
Speaking to Sky News, he said: "We have got to look at the data, we have got to look at the impact of the vaccination programme.
"The Education Secretary (Gavin Williamson) has said that we will ensure schools get two weeks' notice of return.
"I don't know whether it will be then or before then. We have got to watch the data."
