The lifting of the current COVID-19 lockdown in England is set to be delayed by four weeks beyond June 21, the BBC and Sky News reported on Monday citing government sources.

Senior UK ministers have agreed on the decision, the BBC reported, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to hold a press conference to confirm the extension of the lockdown and give updates on when restrictions will lift in England at 18:00 BST.

Johnson is likely to blame the delay on a third wave of COVID-19 infections and announce a drive to accelerate the vaccination campaign in the country, according to Sky News.