Though the Welsh Government is asking people to stick to two households and a new National Lockdown will come into force there after the festive period. In scotland, the number of people within the bubble has been limited to eight but children under 12 do not count toward that number. And the Scottish Government is now recommending that people should meet other households for only one day during the five Day Christmas period. These measures will be in place for five days over the festive period, between the 23rd and 27th of december. Although people in Northern Ireland get an extra day either side for travel time. Our Political Correspondent Jonathan Blake is at westminster for us now. So much stronger advice but no change to the rules . The message has significantly shifted. We had this uk wide plan to allow up to three hassles meet indoors for the five days over christmas and that was taken last days over christmas and that was ta ken last month days over christmas and that was taken
The netherlands enters a strict second lockdown, with schools and shops shut for at least five weeks. Englands education secretary threatens legal action after a London Council told schools to move to online teaching to halt the spread of the virus. Joe biden praises the strength of american democracy, after his president ial victory is certified by the Electoral College. Our democracy, pushed, tested, threatened, proved to be resilient, true and strong. In the uk, hospitality and retail sectors are the hardest hit as a Record Number of people are made redundant and unemployment continues to rise. And coming up this hour. The show must not go on why new covid restrictions could bring the curtain down on londons west end. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world, and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. From midnight tonight, 3a Million People in england will be living with the highest level of restrictions in tier 3. New
A nationwide lockdown over christmas and new year, as it tries to halt the sharp rise in coronavirus infections. The uks chief brexit negotiator has arrived in brussels ahead of more talks with the eu, as senior meps say an agreement needs to be reached in the next 2a hours. And in cricket, a devastated india crashed to their lowest ever score of 36, as australia ran riot to win the opening test in adelaide. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world, and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. Ministers have been meeting to discuss how to contain the rising number of coronavirus cases in england. Government scientists are continuing to monitor the spread of a new variant of covid in south east england amid growing concerns about its transmission. Health bosses have warned the nhs is under significant pressure, with nearly 90 of hospital beds in england full. More than two thirds of people in england are now living under the
Gathering over christmas. And all this follows a surge in cases believed to be caused by a new strain or variant of covid 19, thats seriously affected london and parts of the south east of england. Professor chris whitty, englands chief medical officer has already said the new strain of the virus does spread more quickly, and that its now more vital than ever that the public strictly follows guidelines to reduce transmission. The welsh and Scottish Governments have been Holding Cabinet meetings this afternoon and along with Northern Ireland they have been discussing their approach with westminster. Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon will also be holding a News Conference and well bring you that here on bbc news. Our Political Correspondent nick eardley is here. All this just before christmas, many argue that this could be done earlier but it is happening now. Just 72 hours ago borisjohnson said it would be inhuman to cancel the relaxation is christmas but it feels like a pretty b
And some of us will see sunshine at times today but watch out for dark gloomy clouds. Details on that and the christmas week forecast here brea kfast. Its sunday 20 december. Our top story. Millions of people in england and wales are waking up to new lockdown restrictions. At midnight london and large parts of the east and south east of england were put into a new category of tier 4 with an order to stay at home where possible. Similar restrictions came into force for all of wales at midnight. The announcements were made as plans to relax restrictions over christmas were reduced. Our Political Correspondent nick eardley reports. London last night was suddenly the last journey before london last night was suddenly the lastjourney before lockdown started. But it will not be the usual christmas getaway this year. Significant restrictions are now in place for large parts of england and in the whole of wales. They are coming in scotland and for millions, christmas visits will be considerabl