TODAY Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to lay out the Government’s “road map” to gradually ease lockdown restrictions in England.

With Covid-19 cases and rates steadily falling across the Winchester the district is unlikely to be a 'hotspot' by March 8 - the date that children are predicted to return to school.

According to the latest data by experts at Imperial College London, the district has a 30 per cent chance of recording more than 50 cases per week by March 6.

Currently, the area has a 47 per cent chance of documenting more than 50 cases over seven days.

The map categorises areas as ‘hotspots’ if they have between a 75 per cent and 100 per cent chance of recording more than 50, 100, 200, 300 or 500 cases per week.

Winchester has a seven per cent possibility of seeing more than 100 cases in seven days as of today (Monday), which could drop slightly to six per cent by March 6.

There has been a sharp decline in these percentages since the end of January in the week from January 31 to February 6 the map suggested there would be a 100 per cent chance of more than 100 cases in the district during the seven-day period, making it a hotspot.

Meanwhile, Basingstoke is likely to have a 13 per cent probability of recording more than 50 cases per week by March 6, whilst Test Valley has a 34 per cent likelihood.

Southampton is expected to be the only 'hotspot' in the whole of Hampshire, with a 79 per cent chance of registering more than 50 cases per week. Neighbouring Eastleigh could see a 34 per cent chance, while East Hampshire has a 11 per cent probability.

The latest predictions take us through to March 6, around the time that it is expected school pupils may be urged to return to the classroom.

Mr Johnson's announcement today it is expected to include further information about schools reopening, along with plans for opening non-essential retail, allowing families to meet and outdoor recreation.