Millions of people in England will be plunged into strict new Tier Four restrictions from midnight tonight.
Under the new rules, Christmas bubbles have been cancelled and non-essential shops will be forced to close. Tier 4 residents will be subject to a stay at home order, and must not stay overnight anywhere other than their own home.
In a press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson explained a new variant of coronavirus, believed to be up to 70% more transmissible than the early variant of the disease, has emerged.
This has prompted the government to introduce strict new Tier 4 measures to curb the spread of the disease in the most affected areas.
For the rest of the country, still living under Tiers One, Two and Three, Christmas bubbles have been reduced to one day - 25 December - instead of the previously agreed five day period.
Here's the full list of areas under Tier 4:
Full list of areas in Tier 4
Approximately a third of England's population will be in Tier 4 from midnight tonight, with the following areas under the new restrictions:
- Kent
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Surrey (excluding Waverley)
- The boroughs of Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings
- All 32 London boroughs and the city of London.
- Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough
- Hertfordshire
- Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring)
This accounts for 17.7 million people.
As in previous lockdowns, Tier 4 residents will be subject to a stay at home order, and non-essential businesses must close.
Christmas bubbles have been cancelled for Tier 4, meaning people will only be able to celebrate the festivities with their own household.
The rules will remain in place for these Tier 4 areas for at least two weeks, as they are next due to be reviewed on 30 December.
