Millions more people will be thrown in Tier 4 lockdown from TONIGHT.
The Health Secretary announced today 20 million more people would be plunged into the the toughest lockdown restrictions as the the mutant Covid strain has ripped through the country.
This means a total of 44 million people will be in Tier 4, or more than half of the population of England.
All of the North-East of England – including Cumbria, Cheshire, Warrington, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen – will be thrown into Tier 4 from midnight.
Most of the West Midlands and all of the East Midlands, except Rutland will be put into Tier 4.
Areas in the South-East that were not already under Tier 4 restrictions, will also be given the tougher rules.
Cornwall, Bath, North East Somerset, Liverpool and North Yorkshire will all be put under Tier 3.
London and most of the South East of England are already under the Tier 4 rules.
New coronavirus infections have rocketed out of control – with more than 53,000 cases yesterday – an all time high.
And local NHS services in areas such as Essex are at breaking point.
Mr Hancock said the draconian measures – which will close non-essential shops, all hospitality, and gyms and leisure centres – were “absolutely necessary”.
But the announcement came hours after the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved by regulators – a glimmer of hope for the tens of millions under Tier 4 and 3 rules.
The draconian moves come in response to a new Covid strain, which was identified in the South East back in September, which is now spreading throughout Britain and becoming the dominant strain.
The Health Secretary said this morning most new cases of coronavirus are from the new strain.
Non-essential shops and gyms will be forced to close in Tier 4 areas
Those in Tier 4 will be able to meet only one other person outdoors – but must not stay overnight from home.
The “stay at home” message is expected to be law – but police are not expected to fine people or stop cars travelling.
International travel abroad is not advised – but won’t be banned.
People should not enter or leave Tier 4.
People can only meet one person from another household in an outside space.
Support bubbles will be still allowed while communal worship can continue.
Weddings will be banned except for extreme cases – like those who are terminally ill.
Tier 3 includes areas of “very high” risk, where coronavirus transmission rates are of the greatest concern.
In these areas households are not allowed to mix either indoors or outdoors in private gardens.
Pubs and bars have closed in the very high alert level areas – except for takeaway.
People have also been advised against travel in and out of the areas.
Christmas bubbles can be formed but only on Christmas Day.
But they will get access to new rapid-result tests for everyone which gives tests in under an hour, a strategy which has seen Liverpool’s cases drop drastically.
They hope that means they can easily escape the tougher rules and move down a tier.
Areas in Tier Two – where there is a high risk of coronavirus – are banned from mixing with other households indoors, including in pubs.
When outside, the rule of six applies.
Current social distancing measures, and the “rule of six” outdoors in public and private spaces will continue in this tier.
Pubs must serve a meal with drinks and last orders will be at 10pm with a closing time of 11pm.
Areas in Tier 1 — where there is medium risk of the virus — will be subject to current social distancing measures, the “rule of six” and pubs can stay open until 11pm.
Six people are allowed to meet indoors.
Schools, universities and places of worship remain open.
Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees.
