London Set To Go Into Tier Three

It's understood it will come into effect from 00.01 on Wednesday (16 December).

Part of Essex - Basildon, Brentwood, Harlow, Epping Forest, Castle Point, Rochford, Maldon, Braintree, Chelmsford, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea - and Hertfordshire will also enter the top tier, meaning pubs and restaurants will be required to close.

Spectators will also not be allowed to watch sporting events in stadiums.

This will bring the region into line with areas including Greater Manchester, Hull, Newcastle, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

It's not yet known which, if any, of the cities in Tier Three will be moving down into Tier Two.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon to outline the changes, Mr Hancock said it was vital the country didn't let its guard down, especially with a new variant of the disease now on the rise.

He said that the new variant of coronavirus, which has been detected in over 1,000 people, may be the cause for the sudden spike, but assured people that it is not thought to be any more dangerous than the original.

Mr Hancock said: "We must act now to shift the curve because... there is not a moment to spare."

Here is what each tier currently means:

Tier One :

• 'Rule of Six' applies indoors and outdoors
• Bars and restaurants can stay open but only for table service - no orders after 10pm
• Places of worship remain open
• Early closure (11pm) for casinos, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities and bingo halls
• public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50 percent capacity, or either 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
• Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees - 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events

Tier Two:

Tier Three:

• 'Rule of Six' applies indoors and outdoors
• Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are close but are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services
• Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees - 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, but wedding receptions are not allowed. Thirty people can attend funeral ceremonies and 15 people can attend commemorative events
• Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close - with some exceptions
• Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close, including - indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, amusement arcades and adult gaming centres, laser quests and escape rooms, cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and snooker halls
• Leisure and sports facilities can stay open, but group classes are prohibited