Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a press conference at 5pm today, flanked by scientific and medical advisors.
The conference follows a raft of new announcements on school reopening plans, new tiers, the latest on Brexit and a second vaccine.
Mr Johnson is likely to repeat a number of major statements which are being made today in the House of Commons - starting with Brexit at 2.30pm, tiers at 3pm and schools at 4pm.
MPs are expected to back his Brexit deal in a vote that has taken just over four and a half hours - with no amendment.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to announce a number of regions moving into Tier 4 in England, although it is understood that a national lockdown is not expected.
Mr Hancock has said Britain can "get out of" the coronavirus pandemic "by spring", after the crucial vaccine breakthrough.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to announce England's schools will return in full later than planned in January.
It is understood students will only return in full to secondary schools on January 18, two weeks after the start of term, but that there will be no change to plans to bring back nurseries.
Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said: “With more than a million young children accessing early education, it is vital that the government takes the time to consider the best, safest and most appropriate route forward for the early years, rather than simply tacking the sector onto whatever decision is made for schools.”
