Families and friends look set to be allowed to gather in parks and gardens in England by Easter, with rules relaxed to allow two different households to meet outside.
Boris Johnson will set out the blueprint for relaxing measures in England on Monday – the final details of which will be agreed at a meeting of the “Covid O” committee on Sunday.
The Prime Minister will then chair a meeting of his Cabinet on Monday, before announcing the plans to the Commons later that afternoon.
He is expected to lead a Downing Street press conference that evening alongside England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
The Prime Minister is thought to making his final edits this weekend before unveiling his plan to the nation in the coming days.
As part of the relaxations, The Sun said there have also been discussions about reintroducing the “rule of six”, to allow people from different households to meet from Easter.
However, a Government source described the reports as speculation.
Schools also look set to reopen to all pupils from March 8, with several papers reporting that both primary and secondaries will return in just over three weeks.
The move comes despite a coalition of education unions and professional bodies warning that a full return of all pupils would be a “reckless” course of action.
It comes as some changes were announced to care home visitors in England.
Care home residents will be allowed to hold hands with a loved one again from March 8 under the Government’s roadmap for easing coronavirus restrictions.
The resident’s nominated visitor will be allowed to see them indoors, but will be required to take a lateral flow test before entry and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
They will be allowed to hold hands with their friend or relative, but will be asked not to hug or kiss them to reduce the chance of spreading Covid-19.
