Matt Hancock has announced tighter restrictions for millions of people in England.
The Health Secretary told MPs that tighter curbs would come in from 00.01 on Saturday in London, Essex, and Elmbridge, in Surrey, banning people from indoor meet-ups outside their households and support bubbles.
Tier 2 lockdowns will also be in place in Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield, he said.
Half the population of England will now be in either Tier 2 or 3 when the changes come in - with 1.6 million in Liverpool City Region and 26.7 million people in areas covered by Tier 2 restrictions.
But the move to escalate restrictions in Greater Manchester was thrown into chaos as fractious talks with Greater Manchester leaders have so far failed to reach agreement.
Local leaders are furious at attempts to shift the area to the highest level - 'Tier 3' - where pubs and bars must close and households are banned from mixing indoors.
The Liverpool City Region is the only part of the country to be placed into the highest category so far.
Mr Hancock said the threat from Covid-19 was "grave and serious" and the virus was growing exponentially.
He told MPs: "Delayed action means more deaths from Covid, it means more non-Covid deaths and it means more economic pain later.
"Because the virus comes down slower than it goes up."
Mr Hancock paid tribute to local leaders in Essex and Elmbridge for their work to suppress the virus, as he announced tougher measures.
He said cases were doubling in less than a fortnight in Barrow-in-Furness, in York, in North East Derbyshire, in Erewash and Chesterfield - leading to the need for Tier 2 restrictions.
He confirmed talks were ongoing in high risk areas like Greater Manchester and Lancashire and "rapid progress" was needed.
Leaders in Greater Manchester are fiercely opposing efforts to move the region to the highest Tier 3 level without a significant financial bailout for businesses.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has threatened the Government with legal action if it imposes the restrictions without consent from local leaders.
Crunch meetings on Thursday broke up without agreement - and local MPs were enraged by a call with Health Minister Helen Whately.
One MP present told The Mirror it "kicked off" when the minister claimed the Government was listening - despite fierce opposition from both Tory and Labour politicians on the call.
Mr Burnham has warned that hospitality and other businesses will be devastated by lack of financial support from the Government if stricter rules come into force.
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell said there was "unanimous fury" on the call with ministers over financial support and the evidence behind the plans.
She said: "We want action but it has to be the right action because we've lived in Tier 2 now for nearly three months and it has not worked.
"The Chief Medical Officer has said the measures in Tier 3 will not make a material difference to the infection rate yet they will cause widespread economic damage to our region, costing tens of thousands of jobs and thousands of businesses."
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth demanded clarity on whether decisions would be made on Thursday on Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
"While I don't quibble or object to the public health interventions he is making, I am afraid they are still not backed up with the financial package that is needed to mitigate the impact on jobs and livelihoods," he said.
Mr Ashworth added that "more people will fall into poverty and destitution" without further economic support.
It comes after a chaotic morning where information about local lockdowns leaked out of fraught meetings between local MPs and ministers.
London MPs were told by Care Minister Helen Whately that changes would come into effect at 00.01 on Saturday, following spiralling infection rates.
Ministers expressed concern about the rising number of cases in the over-60s and upward trajectory of cases in intensive care.
Data presented to local MPs showed only 30% of intensive care beds were free in the capital to deal with the sickest patients.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the London Assembly: "This move is based on the expert public health and scientific advice about what is necessary to save lives in the capital.
"In addition to the restrictions already in place, this would mean different households in London not being able to mix indoors.
"Nobody wants to see more restrictions - but this is deemed to be necessary in order to protect Londoners' lives by myself, London Council Leaders and by Ministers."
He warned Londoners of a "difficult winter ahead" and urged people to pull together and obey the rules.
News that Essex will also go into Tier 2 at the same time also emerged from the meetings.
But local MPs in Lancashire were told the region would remain under Tier 2 rules, after speculation it might be forced into the strictest lockdown category.
Under Tier 2 rules, you are banned from meeting anybody outside your household or support bubble in any indoor setting - which includes public places.
Outdoor meet-ups are allowed but the gathering must not be more than six people.
People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make by public transport where possible.
The regulations will be reviewed every 14 days.
