As ministers grapple with a lockdown exit strategy, reports surfaced over the weekend claiming they were weighing up a 'traffic light' approach to getting Britain working again.
This could see schools re-open as early as May 11, it was claimed, with non-essential businesses not far behind.
The government has since poured cold water on this, stressing that five things need to happen before restrictions can be lifted.
Speaking last week, First Minister Dominic Raab said that before any changes come in, the NHS needs to be able to cope, infection rates must fall, the death rate must fall, testing must be stepped up and a second peak must be avoided.
But with the government under pressure to reveal what it plans to do, we look at what a traffic light strategy would involve.
For the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, click here
What is a 'traffic light' strategy?
This was first reported by Buzzfeed, which said sources with knowledge of Number 10's plans were giving it serious consideration.
The strategy would see people go back to work at different times, in order to maintain social distancing.
Scientists argue it would be reckless to send everyone back to work at the same time - infection rates would soar as it would be impossible to keep people far enough apart to stop the spread.
But with experts predicting anything between two million and 6.5 million job losses, clearly something will have to happen if the UK isn't to remain in lockdown indefinitely.
What would the stages be?
As the name suggests, the traffic light strategy has three phases - red, amber and green.
Red would be the most restrictive, with conditions being lifted during the amber and finally the green stage.
The red stage
This would see the return of non-essential shops, as well as warehouses, as long as social distancing can be maintained.
Workers and customers would still be required to remain two metres apart.
It would also see nurseries reopen, as well as hairdressers and barbers.
However non-essential travel would still be encouraged, and those who can work from home would still be required to do so.
According to a report in The Sun, May 11 is being considered as a date for this to be put in place.
However Michael Gove yesterday emphatically denied that the approach was being looked at, and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson posted on Twitter : "No decision has been made on when we will reopen schools."
The amber stage
Restrictions would remain in place, but there would be a relaxing of rules when this is introduced.
Small businesses with less than 50 employees would be allowed to reopen, schools would return, and some restaurants could reopen with strict seating rules.
This is doubtful however - Mr Gove yesterday said pubs and restaurants would be among the last businesses to be allowed to reopen.
According to The Sun, the amber stage could be introduced on May 25.
The green stage
This is the point at which most of the country goes back to work - albeit with a number of restrictions remaining in place.
People would still be required to wear masks in public, it is reported, but weddings and funerals could be held again with larger groups.
Cinemas and theatres could open their doors again, while gyms and pubs could also be back in business - with strict guidelines.
The Sun suggests June 15 would be the day this is introduced.
What needs to happen before lockdown is lifted?
1. The NHS must be able to cope
The slogan that the Government has championed from the start has been clear - "Stay at home. Protect the NHS".
Many of the measures put in place - including the opening of the Nightingale Hospital at the NEC in Birmingham, have been to reduce the burden that Covid-19 is having on the NHS.
The last thing the Government wants is thousands upon thousands of patients needing medical treatment all at once, so until there is confidence that the NHS can cope, lockdown will remain in place.
2. Fall in deaths
The daily death total makes for a grim reading each day, with hundreds of deaths recorded in hospitals as a result of coronavirus.
And sadly, with deaths occurring in public and care facilities, the real number is almost certainly much higher.
Mr Raab said the government will want to see a 'sustained and consistent fall in deaths' before any decision to lift restrictions will be made.
3. Decrease in infection rates
Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said that infection rates across the country have been decreasing.
Mr Raab said the rate of infection would need to have decreased to 'manageable levels' before any restrictions are eased.
For that to happen, testing will need to be ramped up.
4. Testing and PPE
The Government has come under fire, amid widespread evidence that the NHS does not have the necessary personal protective equipment, or enough of it, to lead the fight from the front.
There is also criticism of the relative lack of testing being carried out compared to other countries - especially on health workers.
Mr Raab said that testing and PPE provision must be 'in hand' for the government to consider lifting the lockdown.
5. Avoiding a second peak
The lockdown has been a monumental national effort, and would all be in vain if it was lifted too soon, leading to a second wave of infections, Mr Raab said.
Until the coronavirus outbreak is under control, and fears that it might cause havoc on the population are alleviated, the lockdown will remain in place.
The Foreign Secretary said that any lockdown measures will not be lifted until the scientists and the government are certain that doing so won't risk a second peak of infections, bringing further lockdown, and the economic and social upheaval that would entail.
