London and parts of South England to move to tier three

Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement this afternoon following a rapid increase in infections

Author: Sophie ParsonsPublished 14th Dec 2020
Last updated 15th Dec 2020

Health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed to MPs that London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will move from tier two into tier three at one-minute past midnight on Wednesday.

The changes will impact over 10 million people living in the affected areas.

Tier three is England’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions, under which hospitality venues including bars, restaurants, pubs and cafes will be forced to close except for takeaway.

The announcement comes amid warnings of a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections in London, just twelve days after lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Mr Hancock is expected to make a public announcement imminently.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.