During a Downing Street briefing, the Prime Minister revealed London, south east and the east of England will all be placed under the new measures in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the measures today, Mr Johnson said: “We will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently tier 3.
“These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.”
However, Mr Johnson’s announcement was met with anger across the capital as people took to the streets to object to the tier system.
Police were called to outside of Downing Street to arrest anti-lockdown protesters minutes after Mr Johnson’s announcement.
Under the new restrictions, people in tier 4 must stay at home apart from limited exemptions set out in law.
Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close.
People are also urged to work from home if they can but may travel to work if they have too.
The Government have banned anyone entering or leaving tier 4 areas and people may not stay overnight away from home.
READ MORE: Tory REVOLT: Demands for Boris to let MPs have urgent vote on lockdown
“Second, we are issuing new advice on travel.”
This comes after latest data from the Office of National Statistics revealed a new variant is spreading rapidly in the tier 4 regions.
The Prime Minister warned: “Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country.
“We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.”
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer lashed out at the Prime Minister following the announcement.
He told the BBC: “The infection rates are going up very fast and something has to be done and we support the steps the government has put in place.
“But millions of families across thee country are going to be heartbroken by this news having their Christmas plans ripped up.
“And I am really frustrated because I raised this with the Prime Minister on Wednesday and he dismissed that and went on to tell people to have a merry little Christmas, only three days later to rip up their plans.
“I think the British public are entitled to more decisive leadership than that.
“They are getting confusion where there needs to be certainty.”
