It is being widely reported that London will be moved to a new Tier 4 category of coronavirus restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce changes to the Christmas bubble period too, only four days before it is due to begin.

Tier 4 is likely to mean that "non-essential" shops including clothes stores and hairdressers will have to close.

He was due to hold a press conference at 4pm (Saturday, December 19) alongside chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance. It has been delayed.

The changes would come just days after the whole of London was upgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

Richmond's infection rate more than doubled over the past week and there is concern about a new variant of Covid-19 spreading in the capital and South East.

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