this is bbc news with the latest headlines... the prime minister is to hold a news conference later this afternoon to announce new tier 4 restrictions for london and parts the south east — which could include a closure of nonessential retail and a change to household mixing over christmas. it comes amid warnings from england's chief medical officer that a "new variant" of the virus is causing faster transmission in the south east. wales, scotland and northern ireland have held a four nations call with westminster and will have their own cabinet meetings this afternoon. more than two—thirds of those living in england — 38 million people — are now subject to the toughest restrictions in tier 3. meanwhile, italy imposes

a nationwide lockdown over christmas and new year, as it tries to halt the sharp rise in coronavirus infections. americans are set to get a second coronavirus vaccine, as the moderna injection is approved in the us. good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. cabinet sources have told the bbc that the prime minister is expected to announce a tightening of covid restrictions, including a tier 4 for london and the south east and a tightening of plans to relax the rules around households gathering over christmas. at 4 o'clock this afternoon,

we are expecting a coronavirus briefing at downing street with borisjohnson and the government's chief medical and scientic advisers. the press conference and expected announcements come amid a surge in cases believed to be caused by a new covid variant in the south—east of england. professor chris whitty has said the new variant of the virus does spread more quickly and that it is now more vital than ever that the public continue to take action in their area to reduce transmission. the welsh and scottish governments have been holding cabinet meetings this afternoon and, along with northern ireland, they have been discussing their approach with westminster — scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon will also be holding a news conference, and we'll bring you that here on bbc news. a lot coming up, certainly with the next hour or so. our political correspondent

nick eardley is here. nick, we are starting to get a feel of what is to come. yes, i think people should be prepared for significant new restrictions being announced by the prime minister in announced by the prime minister in an hourorso, it announced by the prime minister in an hour or so, it will involve a new top tier of restrictions in england. we think that would apply to london and parts of the south east, at a minimum. it may well be elsewhere, too. that tier 4 is going to feel a lot like lockdown. i expect it will mean that nonessential shops close, it may well mean that people are told not to leave their homes and to stay local as well. which will have a huge impact on people's christmas plans. the latest we are hearing is that that is likely to come in this weekend, so it is coming very soon. that is england. new restrictions are being discussed is a possibility in scotland, though i do not think they are going to be as severe in scotland. scotland already has a higher level of restrictions. that

may well be extended to parts of scotla nd may well be extended to parts of scotland that aren't in it at the moment, there are none in it at the moment. there is talks in northern ireland. it feels like things have moved significantly since we sat here 72 hours ago and said the broad christmas plan for the relaxation of restrictions was going to go ahead. the main concern is the rate at which this virus is spreading in certain parts of the uk. but it is also the new variant of the virus which was identified last week, which was identified last week, which we were all told about. we do not know a great deal about it. it is not necessarily more deadly than the one that we are used to, it is not necessarily immune to the vaccine which is being rolled out at the moment, but the big concern scientists have is that it is spreading quicker. and that is why i am expecting in an hour's time we are going to be discussing some really quite severe restrictions

coming in in large parts of england, potentially in other parts of the uk as well. and a real u—turn on that plan to allow christmas to go ahead broadly as normal. the timing is significant. as you say, these measures could come into force this weekend. normally, we are given a few days notice to allow people to adjust. but the clock is ticking. does that mean that it is likely to get cross—party approval? does that mean that it is likely to get cross-party approval? it is an excellent question. i think the labour party is almost certain to back it because they have been calling for tighter restrictions. i'm sure you will get some political criticism of borisjohnson i'm sure you will get some political criticism of boris johnson for i'm sure you will get some political criticism of borisjohnson for not taking this decision earlier this week, although it does feel like the advice has really changed in the last 2a hours. there were emergency talks in downing street last night for example. i suspect that there will be support from some other parties as well, because you are likely to have some directions in

scotland, the snp potentially some changes in wales as well, that is the labour party. i think the broad message is going to be quite a concerning picture about the rest of winter. there is clearly real concern in government, real concern in the scientific community, about the data they have seen over the past 2a, 48 hours. the data they have seen over the past 24, 48 hours. i've a feeling —— and a feeling on prime minister's parts that he has to act now. we will be monitoring that press conference, which we expect to kick off at 4pm. as nick was saying, there has been concern in the scientific community. dr naomi forrester—soto is a virologist at keele university. are you one of those that was

concerned? there is always some concerned? there is always some concern with a new variant when it arises, because we do not know how it is going to act. i should say that new variants arising are normal in the virus revolution, it happens all the time. sometimes, in the virus revolution, it happens allthe time. sometimes, they in the virus revolution, it happens all the time. sometimes, they are more infectious and sometimes they are not, and untilyou more infectious and sometimes they are not, and until you get them into the lab you do not know. but the data suggests that this one is, which i think is why they are taking the precautions that they are, just in case it is more transmissible, because that is what the data is suggesting. but i do know that we have had time to do the tests yet. how long is that normally take? have had time to do the tests yet. how long is that normally take7m will probably take a couple of weeks, if not 3—4 weeks. will probably take a couple of weeks, if not 3-4 weeks. that certainly ta kes weeks, if not 3-4 weeks. that certainly takes us well over the christmas period and into the new school term. it does. so let us talk about a new variant and how you do

expect it, and how fast it does mutate. because we started talking about this back in march, about the possibility of mutations. and to be honest with you this has happened quite slowly, hasn't it? yes, viruses are known to mutate, and coronaviruses are known to mutate the least. flu changes every year, thatis the least. flu changes every year, that is where you need to have a new vaccine. but coronaviruses are more unstable and do not mutate as rapidly. so when the new variants arise there is often a reason for them arising, which is possibly because they are more readily transmissible. sometimes they can alsojust a by transmissible. sometimes they can also just a by random transmissible. sometimes they can alsojust a by random chance. again, we do not know yet, but the data is concerning, which is why i think these measures have been taken. the possibility then of a new tier for being introduced today. we will find

out exactly what those specifications are from downing street. coming from a scientific background, does a mini lockdown which would essentially be from the sounds of it be enough to stop a virus in its tracks? with this virus, because it is so good at transmitting between people, i am not sure we will be able to stop it in its tracks. we need to bring the transmission rates down. it is concerning because if you have an increase in the number of cases, the have an increase in the number of people hospitalised and sadly an increase in the number of fatalities. while the new variant is obviously playing into this, it really doesn't matter if it is the new variant or the old variant, it is more important that everybody tries to prevent transmission of this virus between households by wearing masks, social distancing, and all the other measures that are

in place, because that is the only way that we can control the transmission rate, to keep with those restrictions and keep trying to protect ourselves and other people around us. i know scientifically, when you look at the numbers and the data, it is when numbers and the data, it is when numbers start to increase exponentially that the red flag goes up. are we at that point?|j exponentially that the red flag goes up. are we at that point? i think we are increasing rapidly, but exponential growth is probably not far behind that. i'm looking at the same date as everybody else, and i am seeing it rise a little bit more precipitously than i would be comfortable with, and certainly the high rate of community transmission means that a lot of people are at riskjust from wandering around the shops. so it is concerning, i think. what would you do, then, professor? you are talking about something we all do. we all go to the shops. we all do. we all go to the shops. we all have to go to the shops. and we still do it, even when there is a

lockdown. what is your advice? wear a mask, always. make sure that you sanitise your hands before you go in and before you go out of the store. do not touch your face while you are in the store. also, it sounds awful, but ijust in the store. also, it sounds awful, but i just assume in the store. also, it sounds awful, but ijust assume everyone i meet is infectious and try and stay two metres away from everybody. that is how i look at it at the moment. that is the only way i feel comfortable going shopping. i read something when the minke story broke, and the fa ct when the minke story broke, and the fact that the virus had been picked up fact that the virus had been picked up in scandinavia, or belgium, and they had to cull the animals. and they had to cull the animals. and the point was that this virus originated from animals, and when it goes back to an animal host and then jumps back out to a human it can cause big problems. it was in denmark, that was it. pleasejust explain that to us. is there a

concern? because there was a concern in the farming community in spain. we've had this in denmark... yes, it isa we've had this in denmark... yes, it is a concern. but the truth is we do not know enough about this coronavirus to know how many animals it canjump into and whether or not they canjump it canjump into and whether or not they can jump back it canjump into and whether or not they canjump back into humans. it is too soon any pandemic for us to know this. the virus only emerged la st know this. the virus only emerged last year. we have not seen the whole range of behaviour of this virus from jumping species that we might have if we had been living with it for ten or 15 years. what it does look like is that the virus thatjumped does look like is that the virus that jumped into the does look like is that the virus thatjumped into the mink and then back into a limited number of humans, but that didn't actually then spread. so it is possible that that virus that came out of mink is better adapted to mink than humans. that will not always be the case. it isa that will not always be the case. it is a concern. how frequent that is going to happen, i do not think that is known yet. we just do not have

the data because we haven't been looking long enough. why on earth... did the second variant originate in kent? what was it about kent? what suited to the virus? nothing suited the virus. variants arise all the time. every time the virus replicates within anybody it will create some sort of variant. most of the time it is detrimental to the virus, but occasionally you get these mutations that just are slightly better at replicating than other viruses in the body, and that is the one they gets transmitted. if it can outcompete some of the others, it is going to rise. it is a random chance. it is a selection, the ability of the virus to survive, that makes it more likely to be transmitted to the next person, and then the next person, and then you get it going throughout the

population. there is nothing special about where it happened. nobody is at fault. it isjust about where it happened. nobody is at fault. it is just the about where it happened. nobody is at fault. it isjust the inherent nature of virus replication. thank you very much. alex norris is the shadow health minister, he told me that labour is calling upon the government to act quickly. so we need to see two things out from the government, firstly immediate action to resolve the plan for christmas, because people rightly need to know because time is getting short. but we critically need a sober assessment of why these tiers haven't worked and what the government is going to do differently, so that they are going to work and we can avoid a national lockdown. what would you do differently? well, there is a challenge in the sense that we haven't got access to the same data they have. we would love to see more of that. but based on what we do know,

we have been saying all week that we didn't think the tiers were strong enough. we need to strengthen the tier system. it is critical, and i say this all the time, the big gap in our fence remains test and trace. why is the virus still spreading very quickly? it's because we detect people with the virus and we are still not isolating them well enough. we need a functioning test and trace system to break transmission. we have been saying all week that we would follow the welsh approach, and certainly go down to two households maximum for christmas. actually, i think the reality is what we are going to hear today is going to far outstrip that. i am only following rumours on social media. i think that's the right thing to do. we are going to have to have greater restrictions now for christmas.

let's just talk about the timeline. what you're saying first off is that the tears are strong enough. we are going to have greater restrictions after christmas. should those restrictions come in before christmas? because people are saying that there is going to be a possible spike after christmas as people gather. what is your timeline? i think it's important to recognise that we are in the spike already. there is a danger of conflating increasing cases with the new strain and saying that things are increasing because of the new strain. i do not think that is the case. they are already increasing. action today, absolutely. the reason i mention christmas first is because people need clarity on their plans. the nations in wales and northern ireland have said a national lockdown after christmas. scotland are looking at that i know at the beginning part of this week. we need similar.

national lockdown remains preventable if the government do the right thing. we were told with the tier system, tier 2 infection rates would broadly stay the same, in tier 3 that they would decrease. that is clearly not the case. the government need to take a sober reflection on what has not worked and change those things to make sure that they do. and a reminder... our news special on bbc one and the bbc news channel begins at 3:30. the busy one and the bbc news channel. we are going to start with liverpool. they were rampant from

the start with a goal in just two minutes gone. the egyptian came off the bench to complete liverpool's biggest away win in the premier league. two goals in the last ten minutes. i know the boys will score a nice goals, they did it once. it was nice. it is better to win. you can follow it all on the bbc sport website.

norwich city will be top of the championship this christmas. they beat cardiff 2—0 in the early kick—off — emi buendia put them ahead. norwich had created a lot of chances but didn't put another one away until todd cantwell scored with 20 minutes to go. in the scottish premiership — motherwell are leading at rangers — callum lang putting them 1—0 up early in that game. hibernian are 1—0 up at home to dundee united while the two other games are goalless at the moment. after toulon pulled out of their match with scarlets last night, four matches are off in the champions cup this weekend with glasgow, bath and exeter all handed automatic defeats. one match has gone ahead so far today where northampton saits lost for the 12th time in a row as the premiership's bottom side were beaten 35—19 by leinster. jamison gibson—park secured the fourth try bonus for the 2018 champions

who have two wins from two and are on course for the knockouts. it was one of the most incredible batting collapses in cricket history. it happened during the first test between australia and india in adelaide — and india started the day with nine runs on the board and just one wicket down — and yet they were all out for just 36. so it is the lowest total by any team, in test cricket since 1955 — the joint 4th worst of all time, and india's poorest ever. give credit to australia's fearsome bowlers, whom england will have to face next year, but india in their second innings collapsed in less than two hours. what's more, they had been leading in this match, after the first innings. australia needed just 90 to win in the end, and won by eight wickets. i don't think we have ever had a worse batting performance,

so it can only go up as from here. as a team we can do special things when we think of partnerships and batting together, so i am confident we will bounce back strongly in the next one and i have no doubt you will see guys stepping up and realising their true characters and doing a job for the team. thank you very much. switzerland has become the first country in continental europe to approve the pfizer/biontech vaccine.

we must intervene. and i assure you, this is not an easy decision. it is difficult to reinforce a series of necessary measures to better face the upcoming holidays. travelwill all right be allowed for essential reasons, most shops will close, and restrictions on household mixing will be tightened. austria will be delaying its nationwide lockdown until after christmas. for the first time, swedes are being advised to cover their faces on public transport in rush hour.l maximum numberof public transport in rush hour.l maximum number of customers will be introduced in shopping centres and gyms. if this does not have the client effect, the government will also plan to close these activities. but there is still no indication of a first swedish lockdown. in france,

president macron continues to self—isolate after testing positive for covid—i9. questions are being asked about whether he properly followed social distancing guidelines when he appeared at last week's eu summit. slovakia's pm has tested positive, and the leaders of spain, belgium and luxembourg are isolating just in case. switzerland has become the first country in continental europe to approve the pfizer/biontech vaccine. swiss regulators say they believe the benefits of the job outweigh the risks. the country is gearing up for another lockdown as cases continue to rise. in a few moments, we'll have a bbc news special with the prime minister leading a downing street brief but before that — americans will soon have a second vaccine, developed by the biotech company moderna. the us food and drug administration

has given the go—ahead for it to be used. distribution of almost six million doses is due to start happening today, with vaccinations possible as early as monday. rural areas are likely to benefit in particular, because the vaccine doesn't need to be kept at ultra—cool temperatures. lebo diseko reports. one more hard—earned victory against coronavirus. the moderna vaccine is now the second to get emergency use authorisation. nearly six million doses will be sent out around the country. deliveries could start as early as monday, with immunisation starting hours later. it is the second vaccine to be developed and approved in the us in less than a year, widely regarded as an incredible scientific feat. one that the head of the fda's stressed was based on science and need. this authorisation was guided solely by science and data.

we worked quickly, based on the urgency of this global pandemic and not because of any external pressure. even though the process has been expedited, we have not cut corners, but rather have cut through red tape that can sometimes slow down the process. president trump marked the occasion with a tweet but around one third of americans say they would not take the vaccine. earlier, vice president mike pence did his bit to try and boost confidence. he was given the pfizer vaccine live on tv. with cases rising across the country, with hospitalisations rising across the country, we have a way to go. but vigilance and the vaccine is our way through. that message of vigilance is one many will say has come too late. infection rates are rising around the country, and each week, a grim new record is reached. on wednesday, the country recorded the highest number of new cases and deaths since the pandemic began.

3,656 people lost their lives, more than the number who died on 9/11. in southern california, hospitals are now completely out of icu beds. patients queue on gurneys outside waiting to be treated. with christmas around the corner, there are fears that gatherings might lead to yet another surge in infections. the warnings are that things could still get worse before they get better. hello, there. swollen rivers and some flood warnings remain across some parts of western england and wales today, i suspect. but there is slightly better news this weekend in thatt he persistent rain has gone. there will still be some big downpours around, but it's a case of sunshine and showers. there will be a bit more in the way of drier and brighter weather at all points through the weekend. at the moment, there's sunny conditions developing again towards the east before another batch of showers go through this afternoon. showers keep coming and going across western areas throughout the day.

where you do see the showers, they could be heavy and thundery in places. and some fairly gusty winds attached to them. these are the average wind speeds. but across western areas, when the showers come through, the winds could gust around 40, may be 50 mph. overall, it's still a comparatively mild day for this stage of december. temperatures down a little bit on yesterday's values. which will lead into a cooler night. it's going to be a case of some of the showers keeping going, particularly across southern and western areas in the night. starry skies, though, in between those — showers most frequent in western parts of scotland. temperatures more widely down into single digits tonight, much cooler than the last few nights. some rural areas down to three orfour celsius. a fresher start to tomorrow. a brighter start compared with this morning in some eastern districts. it's a story of sunshine and showers once again. if anything, though, fewer showers around. although showers will still be fairly frequent in western scotland and north—west northern ireland. temperatures again down a degree or so. later in the day, we start to see more in the way of cloud, wind and rain gathered toward cornwall and the channel islands.

that's this developing area of low pressure, which looks like it will run across most southernmost areas. the strongest winds down across france. we could hold on to rain all day long there, in the channel islands. heavy rain to begin with and sodden ground. lots of surface water. brightening up for many throughout the day. brightest of all in northern ireland. showers in scotland turning increasingly wintry over higher ground. that is the start of christmas week. a quiet day on tuesday. there will still be some rain in the south of the country. we'll have to keep a close eye on this. potential for low pressure on wednesday. it could bring heavy rain. whether we see it, whether we don't, it will be out of the way. not really a white christmas, but it could be a frosty one.

good afternoon and welcome to this bbc news special, cabinet sources have revealed the prime minister is expected to announce a tightening of covid restrictions, including moving london and the south east of england into the tier 4 category of the toughest measures. at 4 o'clock we're expecting a coronavirus briefing from downing street with boris johnson and the government's chief medical and scientic advisers. the new tier 4 restrictions could mean the closure of all non essential retail, as well as the tightening of plans