Boris Johnson to hold coronavirus press conference on Wednesday afternoon

The Prime Minister will be joined by England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The purpose of that is to provide an update on the latest statistics. It is not because there is some specific set of new announcements to make.”

Following criticism over a perceived lack of clarity, Mr Johnson admitted the different rules and restrictions across the country were confusing.

He said: “I appreciate that this is one of those things that people will find confusing.

“Just bear in mind we are fighting a pandemic with the tools that we have, which is the great common sense of this country.

“It was very effective in March and April, it worked in driving the virus down – we need it to work again, we all need to pull together.”

He added: “Follow the guidance, wash your hands, cover your face in the settings, in enclosed spaces where you should, keep your distance, get a test if you have symptoms – that’s the most effective thing we can do.

“But in the areas where particular measures have been brought in by local councils or the Government, then look at the guidance for what exactly you should do in those cases.”

Mr Johnson also said MPs will have a chance to debate coronavirus restrictions amid a mounting criticism of the Government’s ‘Big Brother-esque’ behaviour.