Millions more people in England will be living in the highest Tier 3 areas of coronavirus restrictions, following a sharp new rise in the number of infections.
The whole of Greater London along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire are to enter Tier 3.
It means that 34 million people in England will be bound by the toughest ruled — which ban all socialising indoors except between members of a household and any support bubble.
Bars, pubs and restaurants will have to close, although they can provide takeaways and deliveries.
Ministers also revealed that a new mutated variant of the virus has been seen in the UK, which may be causing higher rates of infection. However experts say they believe the new vaccine is effective against it.
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, is urging the government to advise secondary schools and colleges to close early ahead of Christmas, unless pupils can undergo mass testing.
Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by health editor Hugh Pym, education editor Branwen Jeffreys, and political correspondent Vicki Young.
