Coronavirus news - live: Lockdown tightened in Manchester and parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire amid 'increasing rates of transmission'

Boris Johnson has touted what he called the UK’s “massive success” in driving down coronavirus deaths, on the day it was revealed England had the worst excess mortality rate in Europe between January and June. Fatalities were “well down” since that period, the PM said.

It came after doctors urged the government to take stronger action to prevent a second wave of coronavirus ravaging the UK. The British Medical Association chief told The Independent ministers’ mixed messaging and lack of a “systemic approach” to Covid-19 was behind a recent rise in cases.

Officials have now said people with Covid-19 symptoms in the UK must self-isolate for 10 days, up from seven, while restrictions limiting socialising across different households indoors have been introduced in areas of the north of England.

Meanwhile Luxembourg has joined the list of countries where the UK will require those who return to quarantine for a period of two weeks. The measure is espected to be imposed from midnight tonight.