Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks set to delay the final lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England following another sharp rise in cases of the Delta (India) variant.
Ministers are considering putting back the relaxing of controls planned for 21 June for up to four weeks as they race to roll out the vaccine to younger age groups.
A final decision is expected to be taken on Sunday ahead of a formal announcement by Mr Johnson at a news conference the following day.
It comes amid repeated warnings from some scientists that the rapid spread of the Delta variant first identified in India could lead to a "substantial" third wave if controls are lifted.