Full list of everywhere going into Tier 4 & changing Tiers from tonight

MILLIONS more people will be plunged into Tier 4 from tonight, December 31, Matt Hancock has announced today.

The Health Secretary said he was forced to take action as a result of the rapidly-spreading mutant variant of the virus, which saw a record 53,000 infections recorded yesterday.

Matt Hancock announced the news to the House of Commons

Shops, indoor activities, gyms and hairdressers will be shut in all the areas to stop the Covid spread – but schools are expected to remain open for now.

And the Health secretary has said he would not be introducing a Tier 5 today – though didn’t rule one out in future.

The Health Secretary told MPs today all of the North East of England, the South West and most of the Midlands would be thrown into Tier 4.

All of the North-east of England, including Cumbria, Cheshire, Warrington, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen will be thrown into Tier 4.

Most of the West Midlands and all of the East Midlands, except Rutland will be put into Tier 4.

And large parts of the South West will also be plunged into the toughest measures.

Today’s announcement means that all of England is living under Tier 3 or Tier 4 lockdown – apart from 2,000 people living on the Isles of Scilly.

Mr Hancock told MPs most new cases are from the new variant, which is as much as 56 per cent more contagious.

He said: “Yesterday alone, 52, 135 new cases were registered, the majority of which are believed to be the new variant.

“Unfortunately this new variant is spreading across most of England.”

The Health Secretary warned “case rates are doubling fast” and there are “significant” challenges to the NHS.

It came as:

• The Oxford University/AstraZenca vaccine was approved by regulators today – with a million doses a week to be rolled out from next week
• And a change in strategy is expected to take place so people can get the vaccine sooner – with ministers to prioritise the first jab and give the second within 12 weeks
• More than 53,000 cases of the virus were reported yesterday
• A major incident was declared in Essex over Covid as hospitals struggle to cope with demand
• School pupils in some years are likely to be delayed to returning to the classroom thanks to the spike in cases

Mr Hancock also vowed that the Government would followed a tiered system and avoid a third national lockdown as far as possible.

“Where it is possible to keep some of the freedoms we all cherish, we should,” he told the House of Commons.

When pushed if he would introduce a level above the highest Tier 4 restrictions, he insisted: “I’m not announcing anything above Tier 4 today, no.”

Nationally, Essex is the worst-affected region of England.