In a Briefing that has come to me today from the Local Government Information Unit.
Tier 4 for millions more to be confirmed
Government sources have indicated that an announcement will be made today which will place millions more people in England into the toughest tier 4 band of Covid restrictions. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to detail the changes – which could be introduced within days – in the House of Commons after 14:30 GMT. Official data shows that infection rates in lower tier areas have risen rapidly in the last seven days. On Tuesday, 53,135 new Covid cases were recorded in the UK – the highest single day rise since mass testing began.
Areas that could be moved up a tier include the West Midlands, Hartlepool, parts of the East Midlands, such as Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, and a handful of areas in Lancashire – Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley.
There may also be further curbs for areas already in the highest tier.