Any loosening of lockdown measures will “unavoidably” lead to an increase in coronavirus infections, the European Commission will say on Wednesday as it warns governments will have "to live with" the virus until a vaccine is found.

The caution comes as several member states including Italy and Spain begin to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions, despite a decision by France and other governments to extend quarantine measures for at least another month.

A leaked version of an EU-wide exit strategy, obtained by the Telegraph and to be launched by the president of the commission on Wednesday, said, “Even though the way back to normality will be very long, it is also clear that the extraordinary confinement measures cannot last indefinitely.”

“At the same time it must be acknowledged that the virus continues circulating and any level of gradual relaxation of the confinement will unavoidably lead to a corresponding increase in new cases.”