What lockdown tier am I? Full list of Covid rules and restrictions for areas in England

Another six million people are in Tier 4 lockdown from today, December 26.

Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire have been put into even tighter restrictions as a result of the mutant Covid strain - and the Health Secretary also announced an even MORE infectious new South African strain has been found in the UK.

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This means a total of 24 million people are now in Tier 4, or 43 per cent of the population of England.

Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Northamptonshire have gone into Tier 3 too, and Cornwall and Herefordshire have been bumped up from Tier 1 to 2.

As the new Tier changes have come into force on Boxing Day, millions will face a bleak New Year.

Today Tier 4 measures were introduced in the following areas:

• Sussex
• Oxfordshire
• Norfolk
• Cambridgeshire
• Those parts of Essex not yet in Tier 4
• Waverley in Surrey
• Hampshire

Tier 3 measures were introduced in the following areas:

• Bristol
• Gloucestershire
• Somerset
• Swindon
• Isle of Wight
• New forest
• Northamptonshire
• Cheshire
• Warrington

Tier 2 measures were introduced in the following areas:

• Cornwall
• Herefordshire

The areas join areas already put into Tier 4 on Saturday, which were:

• Kent
• Buckinghamshire
• Berkshire
• Surrey (excluding Waverley)
• The boroughs of Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings
• All 32 London boroughs and the city of London.
• Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough
• Hertfordshire
• Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring)

Announcing the new measures, Matt Hancock urged Brits to "not give up now" - saying "we can get through this together".

He added: "I know from the bottom of my heart there are brighter skies ahead."

The PM had insisted just days before that Christmas will still go ahead for families - and it would be "inhuman" to cancel it.

But while some Brits were able to meet with their family for Christmas Day, more than 22 million were told last weekend they would need to stay in lockdown.

The draconian moves come in response to a new Covid strain, which was identified in the South East back in September, which is now spreading throughout Britain and becoming the dominant strain.

Boris said the new mutant strain can spread up to 70 per cent more easily - which has spooked health bosses.

But it's not likely to cause any worse illness, or deaths, he said, and should still be affected by the vaccine.

Patrick Vallance said: "It's a horrible moment for sure".

And Professor Chris Whitty begged people not to flee the capital, saying: "If you have packed a bag, unpack it."

But he stressed a message of hope for the future as it was revealed that 350,000 people across the UK have been vaccinated now.

Boris added: "There is now hope – real hope – that we will soon be rid of this virus. That prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose administered.

"As sure as night follows day, we will beat back this virus. We will defeat it. And we will reclaim our lives."

Changes up and down the country had already seen 4.5million more people — 38million in all — wake up to Tier 3 restrictions last week.

London, and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire moved into the top tier after a "sharp rise in cases" and the detection of a new strain of Covid that is believed to be spreading faster than the original.

Wales and Northern Ireland have already announced a post-festive shutdown.

Stats showed those living with Covid in England have risen by almost a fifth in a week.

The ONS said 567,300 people had the bug between December 6 and 12 — equal to one person in 95. The latest reproduction R number is now between 1.1 and 1.2.

TIER 4 - LOCKDOWN

Non-essential shops and gyms in Tier 4 areas closed from midnight on Sunday, December 20.

Those in Tier 4 will be able to meet only one other person outdoors - but must not stay overnight from home.

The “stay at home” message is expected to be law - but police are not expected to fine people or stop cars travelling.

International travel abroad is not advised - but won't be banned.

People should not enter or leave Tier 4.

People can only meet one person from another household in an outside space.

The new rules will be in place for at least a fortnight until 30 December - after Christmas.

Support bubbles will be still allowed while communal worship can continue.

Weddings will be banned except for extreme cases - like those who are terminally ill.

TIER 3 - VERY HIGH RISK

Tier 3 includes areas of “very high” risk, where coronavirus transmission rates are of the greatest concern.

In these areas households are not allowed to mix either indoors or outdoors in private gardens.

Pubs and bars have closed in the very high alert level areas - except for takeaway.

People have also been advised against travel in and out of the areas.  

Christmas bubbles can be formed but only on Christmas Day.

But they will get access to new rapid-result tests for everyone which gives tests in under an hour, a strategy which has seen Liverpool's cases drop drastically.

They hope that means they can easily escape the tougher rules and move down a tier.

TIER 2 - HIGH RISK

Areas in Tier Two - where there is a high risk of coronavirus - are banned from mixing with other households indoors, including in pubs.

When outside, the rule of six applies.

Current social distancing measures, and the "rule of six" outdoors in public and private spaces will continue in this tier.

Pubs must serve a meal with drinks and last orders will be at 10pm with a closing time of 11pm.

Christmas bubbles can be formed but only on Christmas Day.

TIER 1 - MEDIUM RISK

Areas in Tier 1 — where there is medium risk of the virus — will be subject to current social distancing measures, the “rule of six” and pubs can stay open until 11pm.

Christmas bubbles can be formed but only on Christmas Day.

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Schools, universities and places of worship remain open.

Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees.