THE UK Government is expected to extend the coronavirus lockdown for another three weeks, amid renewed warnings that it is still too soon to start easing the restrictions.

Ministers will meet today to agree to prolong the social distancing controls announced on March 23, amid signs the epidemic in the UK is beginning to peak.

The Cabinet meeting comes after the number of people who have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 reached almost 13,000, with growing concern over increasing deaths in care homes.

Scotland's National clinical director recently said Holyrood could take a different approach than the rest of the UK on exiting the coronavirus lockdown.

Jason Leitch said any action following the peak of the virus would be tried at a “four-country level” when appropriate.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Scotland could diverge from rest of UK’s plan

Downing Street said the three-week review of the lockdown regulations will go ahead as planned in line with the coronavirus legislation.

However, ministers and officials have repeatedly made clear there is no prospect of any imminent relaxation.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the party will back an extension, but has called on ministers to set out an exit plan explaining how restrictions will eventually be lifted.

On Wednesday night, Health Minister Nadine Dorries took to Twitter to urge journalists to stop asking about an exit strategy.

She said: "There is only one way we can 'exit' full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine. Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy."

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