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Breaking news: Boris Johnson confirms new three-tier system of local lockdowns for England

Boris Johnson has confirmed a new three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions is going to be introduced in England.

The country will be divided into three Local COVID Alert Levels – “medium”, “high” and “very high” – depending on local infection rates.

The move is aimed at simplifying the range of different COVID-19 restrictions that were already in place across various parts of England.

The prime minister warned the “stark reality” of the second wave of coronavirus infections had seen the number of cases quadruple in the last three weeks, with more people now in hospital with the disease than had been before the UK entered its national lockdown in March.

However, Mr Johnson told MPs he did not believe it would be the “right course” to put the country back into national lockdown due to the impact of shutting schools on children’s education and the harm to the economy.

He also dismissed suggestions that the public’s patience for restrictions had now been “exhausted” and the government should “let the virus rip” across the country and “let nature take her course”.

The medium level will cover a significant part of England and includes the current national restrictions such as the “rule of six” and the 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants.