Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new national lockdown for England and people will only be able to leave their homes for limited reasons.

The lockdown comes into force immediately and is expected to go on until the middle of February. The start of the February school half-term is scheduled for the middle of the month.

Mr Johnson said: “You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law, such as to shop for essentials, to work if you absolutely cannot work from home, to exercise, to seek medical assistance such as getting a Covid test, or to escape domestic abuse.”

Much like in Tier 4, places of worship can remain open for individual prayers and communal worship, but people should only visit with their household or support bubble.

Advice for communal worship states, "You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death, a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. 

"You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble when attending a place of worship.

"Weddings, funerals and religious, belief-based or commemorative events linked to someone’s death are all subject to limits on the numbers that can attend, and weddings and civil ceremonies may only take place in exceptional circumstances."

Weddings or civil partnerships will be limited to five people and funerals will be restricted in numbers.

Any religious classes being held in buildings will also have to stop.

Places of worship can open to broadcast a service online.