CHESHIRE East has been moved into the highest risk category, tier four, by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, as he placed millions more people under tougher coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Hancock told the Commons this afternoon (Wednesday) that with cases rising sharply and hospitalisations increasing the government had to "demonstrate the need to act where the virus is spreading".

The majority of new cases are believed to be the new variant and the health secretary said: "We must act to suppress the virus now. The threat to life is real. This new variant is now spreading across England."

Cheshire East was placed in tier three on Boxing Day, but the numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 have surged by a third over the last week.

Latest government data shows there were 1,061 positive Covid-19 tests in Cheshire East from December 23 to 29 (yesterday), a rise of 33 per cent on the previous week.

Cheshire West and Warrington are also moving from tier three into tier four, while large areas of Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester have been upgraded from tier three to tier four. Shropshire and the Liverpool City region are moving up from tier two to tier three.

The gloomy outlook has been tempered by the news that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK with the first doses due to be administered next week.

Mr Hancock said the UK has 100 million doses of Oxford-AstaZeneca on order and "combined with the Pfizer vaccine is enough to vaccine every adult in the UK with both doses".

"Everyone who wants one, can get a vaccine," he said.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran said: "At this stage we do not know how long we will be subject to tier four restrictions, but, as previously announced by government, we anticipate a review in two weeks' time.

"I implore all residents and businesses to adhere to the government's restrictions. It is vital that we all continue to observe the basics of hands, face, space.

"Remember, the virus spreads through droplets breathed out by an infected person. If we do the right thing and keep our distance, we cannot spread the infection."

Tier four rules include a "stay at home" order and mean businesses such as non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms must close.

In tier four, people cannot meet indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

But they can socialise in public outdoor spaces with their household, support or childcare bubble, or with one other person. Public outdoor spaces include

• parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
• public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them)
• allotments
• the grounds of a heritage site
• outdoor sports courts and facilities
• playgrounds

In general, people must not leave their home or garden without a reasonable excuse, which includes:

• Going to work or to perform voluntary services if you cannot work from home.
• Shopping for essential supplies
• Picking up takeaways or click-and-collect orders
• Accessing critical public services
• Going to school or any other necessary supervised activities for children
• Providing informal childcare or care for vulnerable people
• Visiting outdoor spaces or sports facilities for exercise.
• Getting a Covid-19 test
• Medical appointments
• Being with someone who is giving birth
• Avoiding injury or illness or to escape the risk of harm
• Visiting someone who is dying
• Visiting a place of communal worship

People under tier four restrictions may not travel outside of their area unless they are going to work, school, hospital, medical appointments or to fulfil caring obligations. People may also visit and stay overnight with members of their support bubble.

For more details on what tier four means go [L] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home [L+] here.