The Mirror

Millions of people in England are set to be plunged into a strict new Tier 4 lockdown, with Christmas bubbles cancelled and non-essential businesses forced to close.

Support bubbles will remain in place, and places or worship will be allowed to remain open.

But the 17.7 million people living under Tier 4 will be subject to strict lockdown rules, similar to those that were in place during the national lockdown in November.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the new restrictions in a press conference just six days before Christmas, forcing many to change their festive plans at very short notice.

What time does Tier 4 lockdown start?
New Tier Four restrictions will come into effect at 00:01 on Sunday 20 December – midnight tonight.

From this time, Tier 4 residents will be subject to a legal stay at home order. Non-essential shops must remain closed, Christmas bubbles are cancelled, and all indoor socialising with other households will be banned.

Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, London and Hertfordshire are among the Tier Four areas, which are largely in the South East of England.

The new tier has been created in response to a new variant of coronavirus, which is believed to spread more easily than earlier iterations of the disease. It is not believed to cause more serious illness.

For those people living under Tiers One, Two and Three, Christmas bubbles have been reduced from a five day period to just Christmas Day.

The rules will remain in place for at least two weeks, and are due to be next reviewed on 30 December.