Yesterday, Matt Hancock updated the commons on which areas in England will be moving into Tier 3 from Saturday.

The Health Secretary told MPs Tier 3 restrictions will be extended across a wide area of East and South East England.

He set out the findings of the first full review of England’s tier allocations, with very little good news for areas already under tough restrictions.

Instead, he was forced to place more areas under the toughest measures, closing pubs, restaurants and cinemas.

The changes mean a total of 38 million people will be living in Tier 3 from Saturday – 68% of the population of England.

Mr Hancock said: “I know that Tier 3 measures are tough. But the best way for everyone to get out of them is to pull together, not just to follow the rules but do everything they possibly can to stop the spread of the virus.”

It was “vital that everyone sticks at it and does the right thing, especially over this Christmas period”.

News Shopper: (PA Graphics)(PA Graphics)

When will Tier 3 areas be reviewed?

Unfortunately, the latest Tier restrictions placed on areas of England will remain in place over Christmas.

Reviews continue to take place every two weeks meaning we will not see an update on Tier restrictions from the Health Secretary until December 30.

When announcing the changes on Thursday he said:  "I regret having to take the action that we have to take.

"I deem it necessary and there is a strong view right across Government that these actions are necessary.

"But I also plead that personal responsibility is absolutely essential to how we as a society should respond to this pandemic."

News Shopper: (PA Graphics)(PA Graphics)

What needs to happen for Tier 3 areas to be moved to Tier 2?

The little good news to come out of Thursday’s announcement came for Bristol and North Somerset, which will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2 from Saturday.

Bristol has seen its infection rate come down to 121 per 100,000 people and it’s still falling.

The assumption is that if areas under Tier 3 restrictions see their numbers follow suit then discussion can begin about changing restriction in areas across England.

But infection rates are not the only consideration, public health recommendations will also guid decision making based on how quickly case rates are rising or indeed falling.

The general population also plays a part based on pressure on the NHS, they work on projected capacity three to four weeks in advance – including absences, beds available and general admissions.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman has said decisions are based on the latest data.

He said: "The PM and ministers will have taken the latest medical advice and scientific data, and will have looked very closely at the statistics to inform decisions that have been made.”