Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today unveil his plan for easing lockdown restrictions.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, England has been in national lockdown since January 6.

The PM will set out his plan for lifting lockdown at 3.30pm, before addressing the nation live tonight at 7pm.

Ahead of the statement, we already have a rough idea about Mr Johnson’s expected roadmap.

Mr Johnson has said he would move “cautiously” out of lockdown, in order to avoid a new peak of Covid-19 infections.

This is why the roadmap will be split into four stages, with the first being the reopening of schools from March 8.

In stages two, three or four, which will hopefully span from April to June, non-essential shops, hair and beauty salons will open, followed by pubs, restaurants and cafes at a later date.

In order for all these restrictions to start easing, there are four tests which all need to be met.

The PM is expected to say: “Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.

"We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan."

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The four tests which need to be met in order to progress to the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions are:

• The vaccine rollout is continuing successfully
• Jabs are effectively reducing hospitalisations and deaths
• Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations
• New variants aren’t posing a fresh risk

As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, the rule of six is expected to return on March 29.

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This would mean Brits can meet up with up to six other people from different households outside.

Mr Johnson is expected to say that he hopes the rule of six can be scrapped altogether by June, and then the country may be able to return to a sense of normality by July.

However, each step can only be taken if benchmark numbers are met on Covid cases, hospital admissions, vaccinations and deaths.

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