Maldon district is to be placed under new Tier 4 restrictions following Government alarm at the spread of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus.

The new Tier 4 restrictions will be in place in all areas currently in Tier 3, including London and most of Essex and Kent. The new variant is now prevalent in London and the South East.

The announcement was made at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon (Saturday, 19 December).

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We must act now."

The main issue with the new variant is that it appears to be up to 70 per cent more infectious. It is not thought that it results in more serious illness or that it will cause the vaccine to be any less effective.

The new restrictions will come into effect tomorrow.

Summary of the new Tier 4 restrictions and what they will mean for Maldon:

The new restrictions will mean:

-work from home if possible

-stay at home as much as possible

-all non-essential shops must close

-all leisure, including gyms, must close

-individuals can only meet one person from another household outdoors

-communal worship can continue with social distancing in place

-everyone should stay within their local area

-international travel is not allowed for those in Tier 4 areas outside exceptional circumstances.

The situation with regard to Christmas:

In Maldon, only those in support bubbles can meet over Christmas now. Different households cannot now get together for the festive season. There will be no relaxation of the rules to allow households to mix as previously planned.

Updates to this breaking story will be made as they become available.