BORIS Johnson is set to address the nation tonight.
It is expected that the Prime Minister will give details on updates to the coronavirus restrictions in place across England during the announcement at 8pm.
A No 10 spokesman told the BBC: "The Prime Minister is clear that further steps must now be taken to arrest this rise and to protect the NHS and save lives.
"He will set those out this evening."
Former Health Secretary and Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt took to Twitter today to urge Boris Johnson to act immediately and decisively.
He said: "We cannot afford to wait: all schools should be closed, international travel stopped, household mixing limited and the tier system reviewed so that the highest tier really does bring down infection levels (as with the first lockdown)."
National newspapers have reported that the Prime Minister will "unveil a brutal new national lockdown" tonight in an attempt to curb the rapid spread of the new, more transmissive strain of Covid-19 across the country.
But, with the majority of people in England already living under Tier 4, "Stay at Home", restrictions, what is likely to change?
It is expected that the new national measures could mirror many of the coronavirus restrictions put in place during the first national lockdown in March.
Many of these match Tier 4 restrictions, such as the enforced closure of hospitality venues and non-essential retailers, and the overriding advice to people to "Stay at Home" wherever possible.
However, there are several differences.
1. Meeting others
Under Tier 4 restrictions, people may meet with one other person from another household in a public, outdoor space if social distancing guidelines are observed.
The government guidance states: "You should minimise time spent outside your home. When around other people, stay two metres apart from anyone not in your household."
In March, people were urged not to meet with people from other households.
In an announcement on March 23, Boris Johnson said: "You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say 'no'.
"You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home."
2. Exercise
In Tier 4, gyms and leisure centres are closed under government guidance.
But people are allowed to take unlimited exercise in outdoor areas.
Under the first national lockdown, people were only allowed to take one form of exercise each day outside their home, "for example a run, walk, or cycle".
This could be done with members of their household.
3. Schools
Other than in designated areas where coronavirus infection rates are highest, schools and colleges in Tier 4 areas "will remain open during term time".
The government website states: "The government will continue to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our young people.
"It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians."
But, under the first national lockdown rules, schools were shuttered on March 20.
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