British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that nearly three quarters of Britain will be placed under tier for the highest level of locked down from Thursday onwards.

He also urged people to stay home for New Year's Eve.

We've seen a 40% increase in cases in England in the last week alone, almost 15% more patients in hospital.

More than that, the peak of the first wave and yesterday, sadly, we recorded almost ah 1000 deaths across the UK for the first time since April.

Under the tougher limits, pubs, hotels and restaurants, as well as non essential places like clothing shops must close and households cannot mix.

With few exceptions, Areas that fall under tier for include the Midlands, the northeast parts of the northwest and parts of the Southwest, all joining London already under the toughest restrictions.

Since December 19th, Britain has suffered one of the worst death tolls in Europe.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that the country's hospitals face significant pressure and that the UK was heading for a quote catastrophe over the coming weeks if tougher measures weren't introduced.

Scientists have confirmed the new variant off the virus is up to 70% more transmissible than the original.

The government also said secondary schools would delay and stagger their reopening after Christmas to allow for testing, while some primary schools in the worst hit areas will stay closed.