Millions of people could be living under tough Tier 4 restrictions for months amid fears the new Covid strain is soaring out of control.
Public health chiefs warned that the mutation has already spread to every part of the country from London and the South East where cases are highest.
France announced it would join Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands in temporarily closing its borders with the UK amid fears over the new strain.
This means all freight from France - by air, road, sea and rail - will be stopped for 48 hours which could leave supply chains under intense pressure in the run up to Christmas Day.