Matt Hancock will lead a Downing Street press conference later this afternoon, No 10 has confirmed.
The Health Secretary will update the nation on the latest developments with coronavirus.
It will take place at 5pm, however it is currently unclear who he will be joined by.
On Monday, Mr Hancock announced that the government has secured 20 million British-manufactured rapid coronavirus tests in a new contract with manufacturer SureScreen Diagnostics.
These lateral flow antigen tests produce a result in under 30 minutes and will support the government’s drive to deliver rapid testing to those without symptoms to break chains of transmission.
It comes as ministers have sought to reassure the public over the effectiveness of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
A new study in South Africa found it was not effective at preventing mild illness caused by the more infectious mutation, and as a result, the country has suspended the roll out of the British-designed vaccine to healthcare staff.
Health minister Edward Argar said on Monday that Oxford researchers remained confident their vaccine could prevent severe disease for those affected by the variant.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi also urged the public to keep faith with the Oxford jab as scientists raised the prospect of having a booster dose available by the autumn.
Dr Mike Tildesley, who advises the government as a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), said it was “very possible” the South African variant is already quite widely spread in the UK.
We will be bring you live updates from the briefing on our website.
