In an unusual Saturday update Boris Johnson is expected to announce new Tier 4 restrictions which could start immediately.
It is understood that London and some of the Home Counties could be the first areas to enter the strict new Tier 4 if virus rates continue to soar.
The new restrictions would close non-essential shops, schools in the new term and also limit movements outside of your household.
Christmas bubbles could also be cancelled for people in the new Tier 4, with those in Tiers 1-3 having the number of households that can meet and the number of days that can be spent together reduced.
