More than 17 million people in the UK will be plunged into a new Tier Four lockdown at midnight tonight. A new variant of coronavirus, believed to be up to 70% more transmissible than the early variant of the disease, has emerged in the South East of England, prompting the government to introduce strict new restrictions for swathes of the country.
Christmas bubbles have been cancelled for anyone under Tier Four rules, while people under Tiers One, Two or Three can now only meet for one day - 25 December - instead of the previously agreed five day period.
Tier Four will be reviewed in two weeks time, on the 30 December. Here are the new restrictions: Tier 4 rules The Tier 4 rules are very similar to the rules of the November national