DOWNING Street has sought to clarify Boris Johnson’s remarks that the Government will be “looking at the potential of relaxing some measures” before mid-February, with schools "obviously" a top priority.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing that the review into the third national lockdown will be data-led. 

He said: “We continue to keep the latest scientific evidence and data under review, and it remains the case that we want to ease restrictions when it is safe to do so.

“The Prime Minister was just making clear that, as I just said, we continue to look at the latest evidence in terms of the transmission of the virus, the number of people hospitalised, and the number of people who sadly go on to die.

“And he was making the point that ahead of February 15, which as you know is the review point, we will look at that evidence closely, and that will inform what we may or may not be able to ease from the 15th onwards.”

The spokesman said that in advance of February 15 the Government would look at the latest scientific evidence and data, though the 15th will be the “point where we review the national lockdown restrictions”.

He added: “It has always been our intention to ease restrictions where we can from that point on the 15th, and schools are obviously our top priority.”

Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government is not considering easing lockdown measures in England until at least February 15.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said the current restrictions are “the right package of measures to deal with the new variant”, adding that public compliance with them is “the crucial thing”.

Mr Johnson said: “We really can’t begin to consider unlocking until we’re confident that the vaccination programme is working, until we’re confident that we don’t have new variants or changes in our understanding of the virus…

“I think the most important thing is we’ve got to be in a position where the rate of infection of the virus is not still so high, and it’s very high right now.

“So, for unlocking just to lead to another big rebound, I think that would be the wrong thing, the wrong way, to approach this.”

It comes as the Government quietly extended coronavirus lockdown laws, giving local authorities in England the power to close pubs, restaurants, shops and public spaces until July 17.

This means prolonged uncertainty for many in the hard-hit hospitality sector.

Existing lockdown laws, which were due to expire on January 17, have been extended by six months, the Department for Health and Social Care confirmed.

A spokesperson said the extension gives local authorities "the robust powers needed to continue to control the spread of the virus, both during and after national restrictions".