Boris Johnson is expected to announce plans for how Britain's coronavirus lockdown could be eased as early as this week after he returned to Downing Street on Sunday night to take control of the virus crisis.

On Monday morning, the Prime Minister will chair his first meeting of the Covid-19 "war cabinet" since he was taken to hospital more than three weeks ago, and is ready to resume his role hosting the televised Number 10 press conferences.

Allies have hinted that he could decide to "modify" elements of the lockdown before the May 7 deadline and is increasingly bullish about the possibility of altering restrictions if scientific advice allows.

One ally said: "May 7 is the day when the Government is legally obliged to review the lockdown measures – but if Boris wants to change the restrictions earlier than that, or at least announce something before that, then he could go sooner.

"Talking about lifting the lockdown is using the wrong language. We need to be talking about modifying the lockdown. There is definitely a sense that we could be doing more than we are at the moment in terms of people being able to work, especially if they are working outdoors."