RESTRICTIONS which forced millions of people across the UK to tear up their Christmas plans may have to remain for “the next couple of months”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested. In England, Boris Johnson effectively cancelled Christmas for almost 18 million people in London, south-eastern and eastern England as the region was put into a new two-week lockdown from Sunday. Under the new Tier 4 rules non-essential shops – as well as gyms, cinemas, casinos and hairdressers – have to stay shut and people are limited to meeting one other person from another household in an outdoor public space. Those in Tier 4 were told they should not travel out of the region, while those outside were advised against visiting.
Restrictions which forced millions of people across the UK to tear up their Christmas plans may have to remain for “the next couple of months”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested.
In England, Boris Johnson effectively cancelled Christmas for almost 18 million people in London, south-eastern and eastern England as the region was put into a new two-week lockdown from Sunday.
Under the new Tier 4 rules non-essential shops – as well as gyms, cinemas, casinos and hairdressers – have to stay shut and people are limited to meeting one other person from another household in an outdoor public space.
Those in Tier 4 were told they should not travel out of the region, while those outside were advised against visiting.
By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
intu Watford Residents have been asked not to visit Watford town centre unless “absolutely necessary” after the town was placed in Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions in a bid to combat spiralling infection rates. Vicki Costello, centre director at intu Watford, made the plea following Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday that most of the South East of England would essentially be placed back into lockdown in the new Tier 4. She said: “Following the latest government announcement that Watford will be placed into Tier 4, intu Watford will be closed for non-essential retail from Sunday, December 20 until further notice.
By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
Covid-19 infection rates in Epping Forest have surged and are now some of the worst in the country. Photos: PA The rate of infection in Epping Forest has more than doubled and is now the sixth worst in England and fast approaching 1,000 per 100,000 people. Most of Essex has today been placed into the new Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, with similar rules to recent lockdowns In Epping Forest the rate of infection has surged from 337.9 in the seven days to December 8 to 835.3 in the seven days to December 15 – the latest available accurate data.
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