The government is “drawing up other options” before making a decision on whether to completely lift COVID restrictions on 21 June.

A government figure said Number 10 was still planning to go ahead with the final step in the roadmap, but is waiting for more data before taking any decisions.

“It would be remiss of us to take a decision without a full set of data as evidence,” said one government figure.

“Of course officials are drawing up other options but we are still expecting to be in a place to go ahead on June 21.”

Options under discussion are said to include retaining the wearing of face masks in certain settings and continuing the work from home advice, even as the hospitality sector opens up.

Until now, the government has only ever said there is “nothing in the data” to suggest ending lockdown should be delayed.

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