Government to discuss extension of Tier 4 rules to wider areas

Government ministers are to meet today to discuss whether further areas of England need to be placed under the strictest Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions.

Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast a "judgement" needed to be made as to whether the current tiered system was "strong enough".

Jenrick said the Covid operations committee, chaired by the prime minister, will meet this morning to review the data on the new coronavirus variant and "see whether any steps need to be taken".

He said: "We will be looking at the number of cases in all parts of the country and in particular what the variant is doing. We know it's been very concentrated in London and the south east, but it's also now prevalent to a lesser extent in other parts of the country as well, so a judgement needs to be made as to whether the tiered system is strong enough or whether at some point in the future we need to take further action."

London and parts of the south-east and east of England entered Tier 4 on 20 December, which is broadly equivalent to the national lockdown in November.

It means all hospitality is closed, except for takeaway.

The next tier review for England is due to take place on 30 December.