Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire to stay in Tier 3
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms the rules aren't changing.
Last updated 17th Dec 2020
Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire will stay at the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, after the first review of England's tier system.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the UK has "come so far'' and "mustn't blow it now''.
Making a statement in the Commons, he told MPs: "As we enter the coldest months we must be vigilant and keep this virus under control.''
Despite a number of areas seeing a drop in coronavirus cases, NHS bosses have warned against relaxing restrictions too early.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers - which represents hospital trusts in England, said the Government was right to make that move as "there is a ring of areas around London - for example, in the home counties - where trusts are alarmed at the rise in infection rates and hospital admissions''.
"It must now urgently consider adding other areas to that tier where infection rates are similarly worrying,'' he added in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Hopson said there was "real concern in many trusts in the northern half of the country about leaving Tier 3 prematurely''.
He added: "It is good news that infection rates are dropping, in some cases significantly."
Fears Christmas could spark Covid rise
Meanwhile, doctors have warned relaxing restrictions over Christmas will "cost lives" and have a "grave" impact on the NHS.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said Prime Minister Boris Johnson should have tightened the planned relaxations between December 23 and 27 to protect the public.
The union urged people to make the "right choices'' by keeping indoor socialising "to an absolute minimum'' over the festive period and not necessarily form three-household bubbles despite being permitted to.
It also pleaded for people in England to follow the Tier rules for their area before and after the five-day Christmas window.
The BMA's comments come after Mr. Johnson used a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday to encourage the public to have a "smaller'' and "safer'' Christmas, urging them to "think hard'' about their actions.