The prime minister is to announce a three-tier system of measures in England intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.
What would the new system entail?
The country would be split into three tiers depending on the level of restrictions the government deems necessary - medium, high, very high.
When will they be announced?
The prime minister is expected to announce the measures in parliament after chairing a COBRA committee meeting on Monday.
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Then there will be a news conference where he will be joined by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.
MPs will debate and vote on the measures next week.
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Image:England is expected to be divided into three tiers for new restrictions
What restrictions would each tier have?
Details have not been confirmed but it is thought residents under the tier three (the toughest) restrictions will have to avoid all non-essential travel and stay in their area.
It is not a full lockdown, as schools and places of worship are expected to remain open. But bars, clubs, cafes, gyms, beauty salons and hairdressers may be closed, along with shops and some services. There are conflicting reports as to whether restaurants would be forced to close.
Tier two restrictions are expected to prohibit households mixing indoors. They may be allowed to meet in a private garden but must follow the rule of six and social distancing.
Tier one restrictions are likely to be what is currently in place across England, including a 10pm curfew for bars and pubs and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.
Image:Boris Johnson is expected to announce the new measures on Monday
Which areas could be put under tier three?
Nottingham has England's highest rate of coronavirus infections - 2,763 new cases recorded in the seven days to 8 October. This is 830.0 cases per 100,000 people, up from 314.5 per 100,000 in the previous seven days.
Knowsley's rate is up from 485.9 to 669.5, with 1,010 new cases and Liverpool's rate has increased from 504.4 to 598.5, with 2,981 new cases.
Other possibilities could include West Lancashire (up from 217.8 to 398.1, with 455 new cases); Exeter (up from 229.8 to 380.5, with 500 new cases); Blackburn with Darwen (up from 208.4 to 355.4, with 532 new cases); and Broxtowe (up from 115.8 to 265.7, with 303 new cases).
How long will restrictions last?
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has been reported as saying the restrictions are expected to last for four weeks but this has not been confirmed by government.
Scotland, as with other parts of Britain, has been battling an explosion of coronavirus cases over the past few weeks. It’s number of cases surged from 500 per week five weeks ago to over 3,700 in the week to October 4.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun on Sunday an insider said: “It’s at breaking point in some places.
“The number of cases coming on is getting increasingly difficult to cope with.
“The student cases are proving a massive challenge for the system.”
A second source told the paper some contacts “aren’t being traced in 10 days, let alone 24 hours” and the system is “close to crisis point”.
Last week Nicola Sturgeon rejected criticism of Scotland’s track and trace system claiming it is “working extremely well”.
She added a “pool” of 2,000 staff is available to make the scheme work.
However according to the Scottish Sun on Sunday the Scottish Government has been requesting additional staff from local council chiefs.
The paper reports the number of people contacted within 24 hours by track and trace has fallen by 11 percent to 77.6 percent.
He tweeted: “The suggestion that cafes and restaurants should just magically know themselves if they’re allowed to open, when they’re fighting a blizzard of mixed messages from the SNP Government, is plainly ridiculous.
“Every time the SNP issue guidance, it’s a mess.”
The rise in cases is understood to be particularly pronounced in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
From August 3 to October 4 Scotland’s ‘Test and Protect’ system worked on nearly 11,000 individual cases.
Professor Bauld has demanded more of this test and trace data is made public.
She commented: “Test and Protect are dealing with a sharply rising number of cases - a seven-fold increase in cases in around a month.
“This has resulted in many more contacts of those cases having to be reached and advised to self-isolate.
“It’s therefore not surprising that we are beginning to see signs that the system is under strain.
“Addressing this is important because speed really is of the essence when it comes to contact tracing.
“People can easily pass on the virus early in an infection and before they have any symptoms - we know this from a number of studies.
“If contact tracing is too slow, this can contribute to the virus spreading in the community leading to more cases and in turn more people being admitted to hospital.”
The Prime Minister is set to introduce several new lockdown rules tomorrow (Picture: Getty/PA)
New lockdown rules for the UK are expected to be unveiled tomorrow, including a three-tier system that categorises parts of the country by risk.
The system will divide different regions in England into ‘medium’, ‘high’, or ‘very high’ local Covid alert areas, with each tier determining the coronavirus restrictions that area will have to follow. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a COBRA committee meeting on the issue tomorrow ‘to determine the final interventions’, before announcing them to Parliament.
Mr Johnson will also hold a press conference in Downing Street with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty on Monday.
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1. Three-tier system
Areas in Tier 1 will see measures mirror England’s current restrictions: social distancing measures, the six-person rule and a 10pm pub curfew.
Tier 2 measures are set to be significantly tighter than Tier 1. They are likely to include the above, but will also put a ban on the mixing of households, reduce funerals to 15 people and only allow visits to care homes under exceptional circumstances.
The most severe restrictions will be imposed on those in Tier 3, where some parts of the UK may face measures similar to national lockdown rules in an attempt to curb the rise in cases across the UK.
2. Closure of pubs and bars
Areas in Tier 3 might see the forced closure of pubs and bars once again. Restaurants could be allowed to stay open, but would still have to obey the 10pm curfew currently imposed on all English hospitality venues.
Those in the worst-hit areas could face severe restrictions (Picture: Getty/PA)
3. Reduced contact
Those residing in the worst-hit areas are expected to be asked not to leave their local area, in a move that would impact millions of Brits.
Under Tier 3 restrictions, these people will be forbidden from meeting up with friends or relatives from other households, with the rule applying to both indoor and outdoor environments.
4. No hair salons
Despite only reopening three months ago, beauty salons could be forced to close in areas experiencing high infection rates, the Telegraph reports.
Whether or not this rule applies to hairdressers, which were permitted to reopen before other beauty services, is unclear.
Different parts of England will be split into three tiers (Picture: Adam Vaughan/REX)
5. Test and Trace power for local authorities
Local authorities are expected to be given more autonomy over Test and Trace systems in their areas, with anger mounting at the Government over how local authorities involvement in decision making.
Robert Jenrick, Communities Secretary, told Sky News on Sunday: ‘We are trying to work very closely with mayors, with council leaders, with chief executives to design these measures with them. That does take time. We want to have good communication between national and local government before we announce how we are going to take this forwards.
‘People who know their local authorities are bound to be better than Whitehall national contact centres.’
Local authorities are set to be given more power over Test and Trace (Picture: Getty Images)
6. Sunak’s wage plans
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s new furlough scheme, in which the Government will pay two-thirds of the wages of those working for businesses forced to close, is set to be confirmed by the Prime Minister tomorrow.
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The chancellor’s plan also includes making monthly grants of £3,000 available to businesses that have been forced to shut. Closed businesses were previously only able to claim a maximum of £1,500 every three weeks. The exact details were still being negotiated late this evening, according to local leaders in Liverpool, which is expected to be under Tier 3 restrictions.
The British Medical Association has published its own list of recommendations, including only allowing six groups of six from two households to meet, and making face coverings compulsory in offices and outdoors.
Countries have been wargaming strategies, amid concerns both sides are “too entrenched” in their positions to get a deal before the deadline. One senior diplomatic source at an influential member state said the schism of no deal would be painful, but it could concentrate minds on both sides. They told The Telegraph: “We will have a period of chaos, but if we need to see how things evolve and how much it hurts before politicians come to their senses, then so be it.
“There is nothing that says that just because there is a no deal there can never be trade negotiations again.
“We could have a scenario where it will not work out in time, but sometime in the future.”
Another EU source said there would be no resumption of trade negotiations with Brussels in the aftermath of deal.
Instead, Britain would be forced to strike bilateral agreements with individual member countries.
Michel Barnier is expected to avoid getting drawn into the details of potential compromises at the European Council, especially over fishing rights, where the EU has backed down from its initial negotiation position.
The Prime Minister held telephone talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the countdown to a deal deadline loomed.
The two leaders spoke on Sunday, a day after the Prime Minister held similar discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The intensive diplomacy comes with seemingly just days to go for an agreement on a future trade settlement to be struck between Britain and Brussels.
Responding to questions about his call with Mrs Merkel, a Downing Street spokesman said: "He outlined the current situation with respect to negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, emphasising the UK's desire to reach an agreement.
"The Prime Minister stressed that while achieving a deal in the coming days would be beneficial for both sides, the UK was also prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms if a deal was not possible.
"The Prime Minister emphasised that progress must be made in the coming days to bridge the significant gaps, in particular in the areas of fisheries and the level playing field, through the process of intensive talks between chief negotiators."
Both sides have said an agreement needs to be struck in October to ensure sufficient time for ratification.
Mr Johnson has previously said he wants agreement on a free-trade deal by the time of next week’s EU summit in the Belgian capital.
A number 10 spokesman added that Mr Johnson “set out the latest state of play” in his phone call with Mr Macron.
The number 10 spokesman said: “He confirmed the UK’s commitment to exploring every avenue to reach an agreement.
"The Prime Minister emphasised that progress must be made in the coming days to bridge the significant gaps, notably in the areas of fisheries and the level playing field, through the process of intensive talks between Chief Negotiators agreed with the President of the European Commission
“The leaders agreed to keep in touch on the issue.”
LIVERPOOL looks set to be the first area to go into the strictest level of England's new three-tier lockdown system - and the measures could last SIX months.
If plans are given the green light by the Prime Minister, pubs, bars and gyms will shut, only one household or bubble will be allowed to meet up indoors, and travel in or out of the affected area will be limited.
Liverpool looks set to be the first area of England to go into the strictest 'third tier' of new lockdown measures - while Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire could followCredit: Mercury Press
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The systems, which would shutdown bars and restaurants, could last for six months Credit: PA:Press Association
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It's understood Boris Johnson will make the announcement, which will affect millions of Brits, in a national address tomorrowCredit: Rex Features
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Northern leaders are furious about what they say is a lack of consultation from the GovernmentCredit: Mercury Press
Restaurants, schools and universities will stay open.
Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire are expected to follow Liverpool into tough new laws in the coming weeks.
But Steve Rotherham, Labour mayor of the Liverpool City region, has tonight hit out at the claims - and says no agreement has been reached with the Government.
And the final arrangements won't be formally made until tomorrow, meaning the situation may still change overnight.
"Government have been clear from the start that they plan on placing the Liverpool City Region in tier three and plan on announcing this tomorrow," Mr Rotherham said.
"No agreement has yet been reached on this point and negotiations are ongoing."
And a statement has been issued by leaders of Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council and the 12 Lancashire district councils.
They said: "We share the same objectives with central government– to protect our residents, to protect our economy and to protect our NHS.
"But we do need more detail from government about their proposals, and in particular what the differences will be between the tiers in the planned new system."
Local leaders have held calls with top officials to ask for a monthly review of the situation, Sky News reports.
It comes as the PM this evening holds a telephone conference with Cabinet members.
Mr Johnson's decision to brief Cabinet ministers on a Sunday is a rare move - and Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese says there's a "large gulf" in discussions about new restrictions.
He told Times Radio: "We seem to have an almost impossible task of penetrating the Westminster bubble."
Liverpool recorded the second-highest infection rate in the country in the two weeks to October 4.
There were 4,593 confirmed cases, or 928.2 per 100,000 people.
The neighbouring council area of Knowsley was top, with 1,412 cases and an infection rate of 944.
Chief strategic adviser Sir Edward Lister wrote to MPs following a meeting with council chiefs on Thursday.
In a letter shared online, Sir Edward stated that "rising incidence" of Covid in parts of the country mean it is "very likely" that certain local areas will face "further restrictions".
Steve Rotherham, Labour mayor of the Liverpool City region, says no agreement has been reached with the Government
Students in Manchester are among those in lockdown after surging cases of coronavirus in the North
Liverpool recorded the second-highest infection rate in the country in the two weeks to October 4
Despite existing lockdowns, worse could be on the way
The letter adds: "The government will discuss a set of measures with local leaders all of which present difficult choices."
But five MPs have warned about the "devastating impact" of shutting businesses such as pubs.
In a letter, they said "jobs, livelihoods and businesses" would be damaged and that it would lead to more illegal gatherings.
The proposed system is expected to see different parts of England put in different categories, with areas in the highest level facing the toughest measures.
Cases have nearly tripled in the past two weeks — with a total of 603,716 people now having tested positive for coronavirus in Britain.
Meanwhile, one of the main medical advisers to the British Government has warned that the country is at a 'tipping point' in its battle with the pandemic.
England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, said in a statement that Brits are in a similar position to the one reached in March.
What will the PM say tomorrow?
Boris Johnson will make a national address to warn Brits of new lockdown measures tomorrow
The UK has experienced Europe's deadliest outbreak with more than 42,750 deaths.
Professor Van-Tam urged people to stick to key social distancing and hygiene measures to keep transmission low and stop the NHS being overwhelmed.
However, the south of England has seen infection rates remain broadly stable.
Professor Chris Whitty said the two regions had seen a “rapid increase” in infections - despite large swathes of both areas being under local lockdown.
Nicola Sturgeon says Alex Salmond may be angry with her because she refused to "collude" to make sexual misconduct allegations against him "go away".
Speaking to Sky News, the first minister also read out messages between the two after claims they had been withheld from an inquiry.
A source close to former first minister Mr Salmond denied he was angry.
They said he was however "astonished at the ever shifting sands" of Ms Sturgeon's story.
Mr Salmond's lawyer has previously suggested the Scottish government may be trying to "malign his reputation".
It comes after the Scottish government had to pay Mr Salmond more than £500,000 in legal costs after accepting that its own investigation into allegations of misconduct against him was unlawful.
Mr Salmond was acquitted of sexual assault charges after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March.
Nicola Sturgeon has previously said that she has not spoken with her former friend and mentor since July 2018.
She has faced accusations that she has been less than forthcoming with the Holyrood inquiry set up to investigate her government's botched handling of the harassment allegations.
In an interview with Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Ms Sturgeon said: "I think the reason perhaps he [Mr Salmond] is angry with me - and he clearly is angry with me - is that I didn't cover it up, I didn't collude with him to make these allegations go away and perhaps that is at the root of why he is as annoyed as he appears to be."
Ms Sturgeon said much of the criticism she has taken over the issue was the "age-old" situation where "a man is accused of misconduct against women and often it's a woman that ends up sitting answering for them".
In response, Mr Salmond said: ''I have made no public comment since I was acquitted of all charges in the High Court in March and have made it clear that the first time I will comment is in front of the parliamentary committee.
"This committee was established to inquire into the conduct of the first minister, her special advisers and civil servants after her government's behaviour was found to be 'unlawful', 'unfair' and 'tainted by apparent bias' and at enormous cost to the public purse."
The committee's chair, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, has said the inquiry had been "completely frustrated" by the lack of evidence being handed over.
She said the committee was still awaiting responses from the government, Mr Salmond and SNP chief executive Peter Murrell.
Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly rejected claims that she has withheld information from the inquiry.
She insisted that "every day I've tried to do the right thing and not cover it up".
However, a source close to Mr Salmond said: "Alex Salmond is not "angry" with the first minister; just astonished at the ever shifting sands of her story.
"Her claims of an attempted 'collusion' are not only untrue but unsupported by the written evidence and directly contradicted by her own previous parliamentary statements."
The source added: "The first minister claims to be entirely focussed on a health pandemic where people are still dying but is lashing out on television about matters which should properly be dealt with in front of the parliamentary committee established for that very purpose."
The first minister has faced accusations that she withheld some WhatsApp exchanges with Mr Salmond, but insisted they were "not a big revelation".
She acknowledged that the messages did make "an oblique reference" to claims of inappropriate conduct by Mr Salmond - despite saying she released all relevant evidence to the Holyrood investigation.
Challenged about the claims on the Sophy Ridge programme, Ms Sturgeon offered to read out the messages.
She said she was "setting up a conversation" to discuss an inquiry by Sky News in 2017 about Mr Salmond allegedly behaving inappropriately.
Ms Sturgeon said the messages were sent during the week of 5 November 2017, and Mr Salmond had not previously told her he was to start hosting a show on Kremlin-backed broadcaster Russia Today.
Asked about the undisclosed messages, Ms Sturgeon said: "Around about the time I spoke to [Mr Salmond] about the Sky News query, I sent him a message on 5 November saying, 'Hi, when you free to speak this morning?'. He replies saying '10am'.
"That's when I asked him, 'What is this Sky thing?'
"I go back to him later that day to say, 'Any developments?'
"The next day, I say, 'You free for a word?'
"So I was setting up a conversation that I have told the parliamentary inquiry about, it's hardly a big revelation.
"Later that week, incidentally, I messaged him to say, 'No wonder you didn't want to tell me'. That's just after I find out that he's agreed to host a regular show on Russia Today, and it reflects my incredulity at that decision.
"I think his response to me then makes an oblique reference to the Sky News query, so that may be what he's talking about."
Pressed as to why Mr Salmond could want these messages to be released to the parliamentary inquiry, Ms Sturgeon suggested the former first minister might want people to believe the allegations were "all a big conspiracy" to deflect from his conduct.
They said such a lockdown move would be "devastating" for jobs and high case numbers there are mostly students safely "confined" to halls of residence.
Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick revealed a few glimpses of what Mr Johnson will say in a coronavirus update to parliament on Monday.
And he added Mr Johnson will lay out more guidance on travel, but that there are no plans for a "circuit breaker".
Prof John Ashton, a former regional director at Public Health England, said the three-tier approach "would have been the right way to go at the beginning, if we'd had adequate testing and tracing".
But first "we need a lockdown of most of the country again now to try and get back in control", he told Sky News.
Prof Ashton added the government had "stubbornly stuck with this private solution" of a more centralised Test and Trace programme, but that signals more powers will be handed to local public health teams were welcome.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Derry and Strabane council in Northern Ireland has urged more government help for his region "very, very soon" as hospital admissions increase and hospitality businesses suffer.
There is speculation Northern Ireland could go into another total lockdown.
Brian Tierney told Sky News the new scheme announced by the chancellor this week was not good enough and that he fears "thousands upon thousands" of job losses.
Extra restrictions in the region have recently come in after it recorded 584.7 weekly cases per 100,000 people.
"We need government intervention and we need it very, very soon," said Mr Tierney - who also called for "an all-island approach" that takes into consideration communities over the border.
The UK recorded another 12,872 coronavirus cases on Sunday, with another 65 deaths taking the total to 42,825.
Britons are being urged to maintain distancing, wash their hands and wear a face covering in light of the figures, though more cases are an inevitability of greatly increased test numbers.
The country is already at "a tipping point similar to where we were in March", England's deputy chief medical officer Prof Jonathan Van-Tam has warned.
"We can prevent history repeating itself if we all act now," he urged.
