MORE than half of England's population are affected by the new coronavirus restrictions. 

Large amounts of London, the north, and parts of the south east are now subject to tougher Covid-19 rules.

The new measures have placed more than 28 million people in England into the top two tiers of coronavirus restrictions.

From midnight on Friday, Londoners were banned from mixing with other households indoors as the capital was placed in Tier 2.

Under Tier 2 restrictions, the "rule of six" still applies in outdoor settings and people have been advised to "reduce the number of journeys where possible".

Areas newly affected by Tier 2 rules include London, Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, Erewash, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and York.

If cases continue to surge, these areas could move into Tier 3 which prohibits people from socialising outside of their household bubbles in both indoor and most outdoor settings.