Tier 4 COVID rules: Everything you can and can't do (in 100 words)

Matt Hancock has urged people to take “personal responsibility” to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The health secretary urged the public to abide by the restrictions as he plunged an additional 20 million people into Tier 4 of the Government’s COVID-19 restrictions from December 31.

It means a total of 44 million people will now be in Tier 4, or 78% of the population of England.

Hancock told MPs: “It is on all of us, and it is about how everybody behaves.

Click HERE for the full list of areas in Tier 4

“Because if we collectively decide to stop this by taking personal responsibility and not coming into contact with others unless it is absolutely necessary that is how we can slow the spread of this virus within of course the tier restrictions which are necessary.

“But ultimately it is about how we all behave, that is how we get through the next few weeks together and then the vaccine can come and save us.”

Here is a simple guide to the new rules impacting so many people (in no more than 100 words):

• no household mixing is allowed

• one person can meet one other person outside in a public space

• all non-essential shops and businesses must close, including personal care and indoor entertainment

• nobody can enter or leave Tier 4 areas

• residents must not stay overnight away from home

• support bubbles - formally known as linked households - remain

• People who need to travel for education or childcare are allowed to travel

• exercise is unlimited

• where people cannot work from home, they will still be able to travel to work

• people cannot travel abroad for holidays

• school opening varies between areas

Go to gov.uk for a full list of the restrictions

Watch: What is long COVID?