London to enter tier 3 as new Covid-19 variant spreads

London will move into the strictest tier 3 category for Covid-19 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday morning to combat a new form of the virus, the health secretary told MPs.

Matt Hancock said parts of Essex and Hertfordshire would also be put into tier 3 and that a new variant of Covid-19 may be behind the rapid rise in infections. He said the government was acting before the 16 December review date to prevent health services being overwhelmed.

"We have to take swift and decisive action," Hancock told the House of Commons. "When the virus is spreading exponentially there is not a moment to spare." He said the new variant may be more infectious but that there was no sign it was more deadly or resistant to vaccines.

London avoided tier 3 when the government announced its new system for controlling Covid-19 in late November. Pubs were allowed to stay open if they operated as restaurants and leisure venues were allowed to trade with restrictions.

Tier 3 areas, classed as "very high alert", must shut pubs and restaurants except for takeaway service. Hotels and indoor entertainment venues must close and attendance at sport and other events is banned.

London's eastern districts and parts of Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire have become the UK's coronavirus hotspots in recent weeks. Several boroughs in east London have reported more than 350 cases per 100,000 in the past seven days - about half the rate of Manchester which is already in tier 3.

The city's mayor, Sadiq Khan, said putting London into tier 3 in the runup to Christmas would hit the wider UK economy and that the government must provide extra financial help.

"This is the golden quarter - businesses are hoping to make up some of the losses made over the second quarter," Khan told Sky News. "If the government decides to move London into tier 3 they must provide additional support not just for businesses but for individuals who may suffer huge hardship."

Pressure for an urgent move to tighter restrictions for London mounted on Monday. A health minister briefed MPs from London and surrounding counties in the morning and warned of severe pressure on the health service. The government is due to broadcast a press briefing at 18:00 GMT.