An announcement will today be made detailing England's roadmap out of lockdown, including information on schools, socialising and the return of some sports.

A news conference is scheduled for 7pm.

Earlier this afternoon however, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to tell MPs that children will return to the classroom from March 8.

It is expected there will be a few "flexible" days to allow the transition.

Outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.

In a fortnight, people will be allowed to sit outdoors with one other person in parks and public spaces.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Breakfast that from March 29 outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed

Wiltshire Times:

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen at the end of next month.

Organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – can return from March 29.

It comes as, in Wiltshire, the latest figures available from Public Health England figures show that 574 people have been confirmed as testing positive in the last seven days. This is slightly below the UK average.

It comes as it was revealed that the county was “unlikely” to become a coronavirus hotspot next month.

According to an interactive map created by experts at Imperial College London, from now until February 27 the probability that there will be more than 100 cases per week in Wiltshire per 100,000 people is 43 per cent.

By March 6 however, it is predicted that this will drop to a 20 percent chance.

The Prime Minister will make a statement to the Commons this afternoon. (February 22)

No 10 has stressed the need to relax restrictions in a “cautious” manner, saying that the Government would make decisions based on the latest data at every step.

Ahead of his Commons address, Mr Johnson said: “Today I’ll be setting out a road map to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.

“Our priority has always been getting children back into school which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical wellbeing, and we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.

Wiltshire Times: People will be able to sit with another outside. Hillworth Park, in Devizes, picturedPeople will be able to sit with another outside. Hillworth Park, in Devizes, pictured

“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.”

Ministers will assess the success of the vaccine rollout, evidence of vaccine efficacy, new variants and infection rates before proceeding to the next step.

The tests are currently being met, Downing Street said, allowing the first relaxation to take place on March 8.