Boris Johnson will today announce the news that millions of people have been waiting to hear: when and how lockdown will come to an end.
The Prime Minister has said for weeks that February 22 will be the day he announces England's roadmap out of the third national lockdown that has been in place since the start of January.
Brits will be waiting anxiously to find out how quickly restrictions will be lifted so they can get back to seeing family and friends again, as well as enjoying all the other activities that were impossible for much of 2020.
When is Boris Johnson's announcement?
The PM will announce the roadmap in the House of Commons at 3.30pm, where he will also be quizzed on the plan by MPs.
Later, he will go through details again in a Downing Street press conference at 7pm.
How to watch
You will be able to follow both announcements live on the Mirror's live blog and Facebook page.
BBC News and Sky News will show both the House of Commons address and evening press conference, which will also be shown on BBC One.
What is in the roadmap?
Mr Johnson will set out his four-test plan this afternoon.
England will come out of lockdown in four stages, with each stage.30 needing to pass four tests before the country can move on to the next step.
The tests are:
- Vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
- The government's assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern
It is understood every school in England will be re-opened to all pupils on March 8, the same date two people will be allowed to meet recreationally, such as for a coffee or picnic, in outdoor public spaces.
A few weeks later on March 29 the "rule of six" is expected to return for outdoor gatherings.
On Monday, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested March 29 will be the date the "stay at home" law and "stay local", meaning s eparated families can travel across the country to reunite outside.
Outdoor sports facilities and organised outdoor sport are also predicted to restart on March 29.
After that details for the reopening of pubs, non-essential retail and hairdressers are still to be confirmed, however they are expected to start in April.
