London and parts of the south east and east of England have been plunged into Tier 4 restrictions - but how long will they last?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he made the changes with a "very heavy heart" as he cancelled Christmas for millions last night.

How long will Tier 4 restrictions last?

Tier 4 measures will come into force from one minute past midnight on December 20.

They will remain in place for two weeks with a review due to take happen on December 30.

What is Tier 4?

For those affected, Tier 4 will essentially be a return to the full lockdown which ended in England on December 2.

Affected areas include Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), the boroughs of Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings, all 32 London boroughs and the city of London.

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Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire and Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring) are also Tier 4.

Boris told around 20 million peiple in Tier 4 they will not be able to see their families this Christmas due to his tough crackdown.

He warned the nation he could not ignore the terrifying new strain and vowed: "We have to act to protect the public."

When is the next review?

A review of the Tier 4 measures is expected to take place on December 30.

It's not guaranteed that the affected regions will exit Tier 4 on the review date.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock reviewed the tiered system on December 16 and changes were limited.

Bristol and North Somerset moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2, while Herefordshire moved into Tier 1.

The news from Mr Hancock dashed the hopes of millions of people in Manchester, Leeds and parts of Birmingham who were urging to be moved into Tier 2.

Can I travel from a tier 4 area to a lower tier area?

The new rules will order people in tier 4 areas to stay at home by law.

Exemptions will be in place to allow people to travel for healthcare, education or childcare.

Outdoor exercise will be permitted and people will be permitted to meet with only one other person in a public space outside, unless they are part of a support bubble.

Can I enter a tier 4 area from a lower tier area?

The government will advise people not to enter tier 4 areas.

Earlier advice for entering tier 3 areas from lower areas had permitted travel for “necessary reasons”.

These included work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.