Most of England will fall under the toughest Covid-19 restrictions tomorrow as ministers warn that a new strain of the virus may be driving big rises in the southeast.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that there was “not a moment to spare” as he put 11 million people in London, most of Essex and part of Hertfordshire into Tier 3 restrictions.
Restaurants and pubs must close except for takeaways and Mr Hancock suggested that people avoid Christmas shopping in Oxford Street and the rest of central London.
Matt Hancock says new variant detected as London enters Tier 3
Coronavirus cases are doubling every seven days in some areas and Mr Hancock said that “sharp rises” among all age groups would lead to more people dying unless action was taken quickly.
Thirty-four million people will