Mr Johnson is expected to decide later this week whether to start easing parts of the lockdown after being given fresh scientific advice on the risks to public health of each measure under consideration, such as reopening schools, shops or offices.

In an apparent sign of what is to come, Downing Street announced that, from Monday, all garden centres and "non essential" retailers will be allowed to operate click and collect services as long as customers remain outside the store to collect their goods.

The Telegraph has also learnt that ministers are in talks with business leaders over a flexible furlough scheme that will allow them to bring their workforce back part-time and share the cost with the Treasury, which could form a central pillar of a plan to get Britain back to work.

In another sign that preparations are being made for a relaxation of the lockdown, Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, also disclosed that the Government is building up stockpiles of non-surgical face masks which could be distributed to the public.

Mr Johnson has been holding meetings with Cabinet ministers this week to discuss how different sectors could start coming out of lockdown, but may not attend Wednesday's Prime Minister’s Questions.

Senior parliamentary officials have been told that Dominic Raab, the First Secretary of State, is likely to deputise for the Prime Minister, as he did last week.

Downing Street, which has insisted Mr Johnson is working full time and is in good health, has for the past two days refused to confirm whether he will attend Prime Minister's Questions, with a final decision expected to be made on Wednesday morning.

New Government figures showed that the overall death toll from coronavirus when deaths in care homes and in the community are added to hospital deaths is on track to be the worst in Europe.

However, the death rate continues to fall, and the number of people in hospital with the virus has dropped by 14 per cent in the past week, with more than 3,200 critical care beds now empty.

The first four of the Government's tests – evidence that the NHS can cope across the UK; a sustained fall in death rates; a decrease in the rate of infection, and enough testing and personal protective equipment to meet demand – were unchanged on the slides displayed at the Government press conference on Tuesday.