Matt Hancock led tonight's No10 press conference with an update on mass testing - which the Government hope will let areas break free of the tightened regulations of tiers 2 and 3.
The Health Secretary chaired a conference and announced further details on how areas in Tier 3 will be able to access mass testing - as promised by Boris Johnson.
He said the second national lockdown has brought the virus back "under control", and insisted that the Government will considering changing the tier for different areas in December.
The Health Secretary also confirmed that couples who live apart will still be unable to have sex once the current lockdown ends.
Extra cash and army support is expected to be made available to areas that need it to deliver the testing.
The latest briefing came after it emerged that Mr Johnson will be forced to rely on Labour to get coronavirus restrictions through Parliament with up to 100 Conservatives unhappy about the tiers system, a Cabinet minister admitted.
George Eustice acknowledged there was “great frustration” on the Tory benches about the measures, which will see 99% of England facing major restrictions on hospitality and mixing with other households.
The Prime Minister will publish an impact assessment of the restrictions ahead of a crunch Commons vote on Tuesday in an attempt to win over would-be rebels.
Scores of Tory MPs have spoken out against the new system in England, which the Government wants to bring into force on Wednesday when the national lockdown ends.
But despite offering them another chance to vote on the restrictions early next year – meaning the measures could lapse on February 3 – several said they still have reservations.
Labour is not expected to oppose the measures, meaning Mr Johnson should get them through Parliament, but being forced to rely on decisions being made by Sir Keir Starmer will be uncomfortable for the Prime Minister.
Environment Secretary Mr Eustice told Sky News that Chief Whip Mark Spencer would be trying to win round Tory MPs ahead of the vote.
“I’ve seen suggestions that there could be up to 100 or so people that have got concerns,” Mr Eustice said.
That meant “it will depend on what the Labour Party choose to do” but during a “national emergency” it would not be right to “play political games”.
Conservative MP Peter Bone said he was “undecided” and would make his mind up after seeing the impact assessment, telling the PA news agency: “The dilemma I have is do we do more damage by the tiered system of lockdown, or do we do less.”
