Whole of Hampshire will be in tier four coronavirus restrictions from tomorrow

The whole of Hampshire will be under tier four restrictions from tomorrow, the government has announced.
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Most of the county - including Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham – have been in the highest tier of coronavirus measures for about a week now.

But today the health secretary Matt Hancock announced the remaining areas, Isle of Wight and the New Forest, will be moved up from tier three to tier four.

The new rules will come into force from midnight tonight.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock updates MPs in the House of Commons. Picture: PA WireHealth Secretary Matt Hancock updates MPs in the House of Commons. Picture: PA Wire
Health Secretary Matt Hancock updates MPs in the House of Commons. Picture: PA Wire
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Under tier four non-essential shops must close and no household mixing is allowed inside or outside, unless a support bubble is in place.

People are encouraged to stay at home, although you may meet one person from another household outside in a public space.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hancock said: ‘Sharply rising cases and the hospitalisations that follow demonstrate the need to act where the virus is spreading.’

He told MPs that the majority of the 53,135 new cases recorded yesterday ‘are believed to be the new variant’.

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Mr Hancock added: ‘Unfortunately, this new variant is now spreading across most of England and cases are doubling fast.

‘It is therefore necessary to apply tier four measures to a wider area, including the remaining parts of the south east, as well as large parts of the Midlands, the north west, the north east and the south west.’

The jab, which has been described as a ‘game changer’, was given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

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Mr Hancock said the approval is ‘fantastic news’ and confirmed the rollout will begin on January 4, including to care homes.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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