Parts of England are set to move into Tier 4, the Prime Minister has announced.
A new coronavirus alert level has been created after a new variant of the virus was discovered in the UK which is spreading through London, Essex and Kent.
Therefore, London and much of the South East will be placed under new rules which reflects the national lockdown last seen in November.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Saturday, the Prime Minister said we "must act now".
Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms, leisure and entertainment venues - such as cinemas - must close on top of normal Tier 3 closures.
There has also bee a change to the 'Christmas bubble' arrangement with residents in Tier 4 not allowed to mix at all.
The new rules will come into force from 00.01 tonight, Sunday December 20.
Residents in Tier 4 are being told they must not leave their area and will be subject to a legal stay at home order like in the November lockdown.
There full list of areas to be placed in Tier 4 are:
- 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)
