Lockdown tiers live updates as scientists warn of Christmas disaster
All the latest Covid-19 updates from across the UK and around the world
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
It comes as London and some surrounding areas prepare to enter Tier 3.
The capital and parts of the commuter belt will be placed under the toughest measures – forcing the closure of hospitality – from Wednesday following a “very sharp” rise in cases.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said higher infections in the South East may be in part due to a newly identified variant of coronavirus which is growing faster than the existing one.