Lincolnshire and Newark under tier 4 restrictions.
The areas will move to tier 4 from tomorrow.
Last updated 30th Dec 2020
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has announced that Lincolnshire and the whole of Nottinghamshire, including Newark will move to tier 4 restrictions from tomorrow (31st December) .
This includes the City of Lincoln, Boston, South Kesteven, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland and East Lindsey.
Neighbouring counties Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire will also move into tier 4.
This comes as Tuesday saw national cases increase by 53,135 to 2,382,865, the highest daily rise recorded ever.
Similar to the November lockdown, tier 4 means non-essential shops, hairdressers, and leisure and entertainment venues must close, and people need to “stay at home”.
As a result, health workers are said to be “back in the eye of the storm” according to NHS England’s chief executive Simon Stevens.
Wednesday saw the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine being approved by the UK medicines regulator, raising the hopes of a rapid scale-up of vaccination against COVID-19 within days.
The second dose of the coronavirus vaccines will now be given later than originally planned, so more people can be given the first dose, according to experts.
Cllr Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:
"Despite infection rates coming down in Lincolnshire, the government has decided Tier 4 restrictions are needed here.
"We realise this will be difficult news for some, particularly those shops and businesses that will have to close, and we'll continue to press for them to receive the necessary support.
"However, we can't ignore the increasing pressure on hospitals, and I urge everyone to stick to the new restrictions. Keep to the hands, face, space guidelines, and, if you develop any symptoms, no matter how mild, then please self-isolate and get tested.
"Today's approval of the new vaccine means we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, let's not be complacent and let things slip, as we aren't out of the woods yet.
"I'd like to wish you all a happy New Year, and remind everyone to be safe and stick to the rules on New Year's Eve."
Meanwhile, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire remain in tier 3.