Journey back to normality. And the Health Secretary will be leading todays government Coronavirus Briefing hell be joined by chief medical officer chris whitty, and professor kevin fenton, from Public Health england. That is at six oclock this evening. Also coming up thats it, scratch coronavirus vaccinations are under way in care homes in scotland, and in gp surgeries in england. Both the European Union and the uk say progress is being made in negotiations over the future trading relationship, but warn the talks could yet fail. Hello. A new variant of coronavirus has been detected to be growing faster in some parts of england. Its one of the reasons the government has decided to place london and parts of the south east into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions, tier 3, in order to slow rising rates of infection. It means that a further 10 Million People willjoin the 23 Million People aleady living under the most stringent level of measures. The restrictions will be brought in
Do hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets have to close in Tier 3?
Updated: 17 Dec 2020, 13:59
HOTELS and B&Bs in Tier 3 areas must close under current coronavirus restrictions, with a few exceptions.
The nation is now divided into a three-tier system with regions classed as either medium, high or very high risk and new areas have been put into Tier 3 because of rising cases.
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People living in Tier 3 areas should not travel to other areas in less severe tiersCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The tier system has been in place since lockdown lifted in England on December 2.
December 14, 2020
A NEW Covid strain which may spread even quicker is ripping through the South – as Matt Hancock last night plunged 11million more Brits into Tier 3.
The Health Secretary told MPs more than 1,000 cases of the new “variant” has been discovered in up to 60 places across the UK – and the World Health Organisation has been informed.
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London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, will move into Tier 3 from midnight tonight.
It now means 34million people – 61 per cent of the population – will face the toughest rules.
Brits in those areas can’t see friends and family they don’t live with indoors or outdoors – unless they are in a support bubble.
CLASS ACTION
Chaos for parents as London boroughs reopen schools just two days before Xmas break after Gov threatened legal action
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 0:54
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PARENTS face chaos as all schools in two London boroughs were forced to U-turn and reopen days before the Christmas break.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warned the government would take legal action if councils in Greenwich and Islington didn t reopen their schools to kids for the rest of the week.
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Greenwich council had wanted to shut all its schools early for Christmas due to rising Covid cases (stock photo)Credit: PA:Press Association
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Gavin Williamson threatened to take legal action if Greenwich council did not comply with the government s wishesCredit: AFP or licensors
DRINKERS BYE & DRY
Thousands hit pubs for last hurrah of the year ahead of Tier 3 rules in London and parts of South East from midnight
Updated: 16 Dec 2020, 15:51
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THOUSANDS of Brits hit the pubs last night for a last hurrah before London and parts of the South East went into Tier 3.
Drinkers enjoyed impromptu Christmas parties and dozens of restaurants were packed before toughest lockdown rules hit at midnight.
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Two friends danced together in the street at kicking-out time last night in LondonCredit: Reuters
Covid marshals were on patrol as drinkers spilled out onto the streets after kicking out time in Soho, central London.