The Prime Minister today (Monday) revealed the next steps in the government fight against coronavirus.

England's second national lockdown of 2020 will be lifted on 2nd December, when a three-tiered system of guidelines will allow businesses to reopen.

In a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, Boris Johnson's "stay at home" instruction to the country will finally end a week on Wednesday following a national lockdown.

Lockdown will be replaced by a revised version of the tiered system of restrictions.

Boris Johnson said today (Monday): "We can see a route out of the pandemic for the first time, by the Spring the scientific advances should make a COVID lockdown redundant.

"We will return to a regional tier approach."

The Tiers

- In Tier Two alcohol must be served as part of a substantial meal.

- In Tier Three hospitality will now be takeaway only.

- The 10pm closing time will now be a 'last orders' time with 11pm the new closing time.

- Events can now be attended by a limited number of people indoor and outside.

- On Thursday we will find out what tier Congleton is in.

- More regions are expected to be temporarily in the higher tiers.

Christmas Regulations

- The Prime Minister was keen to emphasise that Christmas will not be normal this year.

- The whole of the UK will have a few days over Christmas with relaxed restrictions. The details of this are not yet confirmed.

Rapid testing and news on the vaccine

Mr Johnson also emphasised the importance of rapid testing. A new testing programme will be launched in Tier Three areas in an effort to reduce the rates of coronavirus.

Contacts of people with symptoms will be tested every day for a week and if negative will not need to isolate for an extra week.

A vaccine will be rolled out when approved.