More areas across England were today plunged into stricter lockdown measures in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
From 00.01 on Saturday, eight hotspots - including London and Essex - will be moved from a "medium" to "high" threat level - meaning people from different households are no longer allowed to meet indoors.
It means that from Saturday half the country's population will be in either "high" or "very high" areas.
Areas today moved from Tier 1 - "medium" - to Tier 2 - "high" - are London, Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow in Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Erewash.
To find out what the rules are in your area, type your postcode into our tool below
Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning told MPs: "Let us be under no illusions about the danger posed by this virus.
"Coronavirus is deadly and it is now spreading exponentially in the UK."
The new tiered system only came into effect on Wednesday and the decision to re-categorise areas so soon is an indication of growing concerns about the speed at which the virus is again spreading.
Rules for Tier 1 - 'medium'
Social contact: Existing 'rule of six' limits on social gatherings remain - indoors and outdoors. You are still required to obey rules on wearing masks and social distancing.
Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.
Schools, universities and childcare: Remain open in all circumstances, but universities must reflect wider restrictions in the area.
Travel and transport: There are no restrictions on travel.
Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Shops: All retail - including non-essential shops - can stay open.
Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: These can stay open.
Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed
Length of time: Regulations apply to the whole of England and expire after six months, with a 28-day review of the rules.
Rules for Tier 2 - 'high'
Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your household or support bubble indoors. This applies at home or in a public setting. Rule of six limits apply outdoors.
Pubs and restaurants: Hospitality venues have a 10pm curfew and table service only.
Schools, universities and childcare: Remain open in all circumstances, but universities can do more online learning.
Travel and transport: There are no restrictions on travel but you are advised to minimise the number of journey you make.
Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies and receptions. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Shops: All retail - including non-essential shops - can stay open.
Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: These can stay open.
Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed
Length of time: Areas will be reviewed every 14 days, the regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and expire after 6 months
Rules for Tier 3 - 'very high'
Social contact: You cannot meet anyone outside your household or support bubble indoors. Strict rules also ban any meet-ups in private gardens, beer gardens, hospitality or ticketed venues. You will only be able to see people not in your household or bubble is in a public open space, such as a park, forest, beach - and in groups of no more than six.
Pubs and restaurants: All bars must close unless they serve food. You can only buy alcohol if you are also consuming a "substantial meal" - not a bar snack.
Schools, universities and childcare: These remain open in all circumstances, but universities can do more online learning.
Travel and transport: You should limit any journeys made outside your local area - except for work and school run journeys. This is guidance, rather than the law. People are advised against overnight stays outside the area or having visitors to stay from elsewhere.
Work: The advice is to work from home if you can.
Weddings and funerals: 15 guests can attend marriage ceremonies but receptions are banned. Funerals can have up to 30 mourners, with only 15 people allowed at the wake.
Shops: All retail - including non-essential shops - can stay open.
Gyms, hairdressers, public facilities: Local areas can negotiate whether to close facilities including casinos and gyms, such as they have in the Liverpool City Region.
Sports: Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided rule of six is observed
Length of time: Regulations will be reviewed every 28 days and expire after 6 months.
What areas are in Tiers 2 and 3?
Tier 2 - high level
Cheshire
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cheshire East
Greater Manchester
- Manchester
- Bolton
- Bury
- Stockport
- Tameside
- Trafford
- Wigan
- Salford
- Rochdale
- Oldham
Warrington
- Warrington
Derbyshire
- High Peak - the wards of Tintwistle, Padfield, Dinting, St John's, Old Glossop, Whitfield, Simmondley, Gamesley, Howard Town, Hadfield South and Hadfield North
Lancashire
- Lancashire
- Blackpool
- Preston
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Burnley
West Yorkshire
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Kirklees
- Calderdale
- Wakefield
South Yorkshire
- Barnsley
- Rotherham
- Doncaster
- Sheffield
North East
- Newcastle
- South Tyneside
- North Tyneside
- Gateshead
- Sunderland
- Durham
- Northumberland
Tees Valley
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Darlington
- Hartlepool
West Midlands
- Birmingham
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Wolverhampton
- Walsall
Leicester
- Leicester
- Oadby and Wigston
Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Nottingham City
Areas set to move into Tier 2 from 00.01 on Saturday
- London
- Essex
- Elmbridge
- Barrow-in-Furness
- York
- North East Derbyshire
- Erewash
- Chesterfield
Tier 3 - very high
Merseyside
- Liverpool
- Knowsley
- Wirral
- St Helens
- Sefton
- Halton
