The prime minister said it was important any easing of restrictions was “irreversible” and warned that hospital admissions were increasing. 

The BBC has been told a delay of up to four weeks is being considered.

Senior medical advisers have urged a brake to the final easing of lockdown restrictions.

Pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas would also be allowed to operate without capacity limits, with sports events taking place in full stadiums, nightclubs reopening and limits of the number of wedding guests going.

It is roughly 60% more transmissible than the Alpha – or Kent – variant, Public Health England data suggests.

The government said in February that England’s restrictions would only be lifted if:

1. the vaccine rollout continues successfully
2. evidence shows vaccines effectively reduce hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
3. infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
4. its assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern

(BBC)