Matt Hancock: Parts of south to enter Tier 4 on Boxing Day

The tier system is in place across England and each area’s classification is reviewed every two weeks in line with Government guidance and scientific advice. The Health Secretary Matt Hancock will address the nation on Wednesday, December 30. But what should you expect from today’s coronavirus tier review announcement and how can you watch it live?

Matt Hancock has insisted the UK will not be plunged back into a national lockdown.

Reports of Tier 5 lockdown restrictions surfaced this week implying restrictions similar to the full lockdown introduced in March could be implemented across the country.

A senior Whitehall source warned England could see tighter restrictions in the coming days as cases continue to soar.

The source said new measures could mean “adding another level onto Tier 4, so like a Tier 5”.

They told Express.co.uk: “We are ruling nothing out, the new strain is of serious concern. Tier 4 appears to not be strong enough.”

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NHS hospitals across the country are struggling to manage amid growing demands on the health service due to rising rates of coronavirus.

NHS England data has revealed that there were 21,286 patients in its hospitals as of 4.36pm on Tuesday – up from the spring high of 18,974 on April 12.

The news came as the UK recorded its highest increase in Covid cases with 53,135 testing positive for the virus, while 414 people have died within 28 days of a positive test.

A “major incident” has now been declared in Essex as surging case numbers threaten to overwhelm the health service.

However, despite the rising rate of cases due in large part to the new variants of Covid, the Health Secretary has insisted a full lockdown will not be announced.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain he said: “Yes I am afraid I am going to have to, and I am going to set out those details to the House of Commons first.”

Mr Hancock added: “We’re going to have to extend Tier 4 areas.”

Previously it was thought up to two-thirds of England would be placed in the toughest restrictions amid fears the current tiers are not strong enough to curb the virus.

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The following areas are currently in Tier 4 and therefore will potentially see an extension of these restrictions:

East of England

• Cambridgeshire
• Central Bedfordshire, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Luton
• Essex
• Hertfordshire
• Norfolk
• Peterborough
• Suffolk

London

• All 32 London boroughs plus the City of London

South East

• Berkshire (Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, West Berkshire and Wokingham)
• Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex
• Buckinghamshire
• Hampshire (all local authorities except New Forest, which is in Tier 3), Southampton and Portsmouth
• Kent and Medway
• Oxfordshire
• Surrey.

What time is the tier announcement today?

Mr Hancock will speak to the nation from the House of Commons on Wednesday, December 30.

He is due to speak at 3pm on Wednesday about the plans for tier restrictions across England for the next two weeks.

However, Mr Hancock’s announcement could potentially be delayed as the post-Brexit trade deal vote is due to take place earlier on Wednesday.

How to watch it live

You can watch the Health Secretary’s announcement live on most news channels including BBC News and Sky News.

If you are unable to watch the speech live, you can watch this speech at a later time on catch-up services.

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