Bedford stays in Tier 4 following Hancock's announcement

The people of Bedford and the county are being asked to continue to stay at home as millions more join them in Tier 4.

With cases soaring in the town, the people of Bedford will have to stay put, following health secretary Matt Hancock's announcement in the House of Commons today.

It was feared we would be placed in a rumoured Tier 5 which would have been much like the first lockdown in March but that hasn't proved the case.

Within Tier 4 people cannot meet indoors with people from other households unless they are part of a support bubble. Outdoors, people can only meet one person from another household in a public space.

The Midlands - including nearby Northamptonshire - the North East, parts of the North West and parts of the South West now join us in Tier 4.