In a statement to the nation today (January 4) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a third national lockdown

Just a few days since Kenilworth and Warwickshire were placed in Tier Four 'Stay at Home' the UK Government has extended much stricter rules for the whole nation.

In a televised address to the nation the PM urged people to follow the rules immediately amid rapidly rising cases and patient numbers.

Mr Johnson indicated that as the first round of vaccinations are administered, there is hope that students may return to school from mid February, and the tiered system return shortly after that.

During a statement at 8pm Mr Johnson said the new variant was "both frustrating and alarming.

"As I speak to you tonight, our hospitals are under more pressure from COVID than any time since the start of the pandemic," he said.

"My thoughts are with all those who've lost loved ones, with most of the country already under extreme measures, it's clear that we need to do more together to bring this new variant under control."

On Monday, national cases increased by 58,784 to 2,713,563 – the highest daily case number ever recorded – while deaths rose by 407 to 75,431.

The UK COVID-19 Alert Level has moved from Level 4 to Level 5 due to the number of cases rising and a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed.

Here are the new lockdown rules:

People cannot leave their homes except for essential medical needs, food shopping, exercise and work for those who cannot do so from home.

All schools and colleges will close to most pupils from Tuesday with remote learning until February half term.

Early years settings such as nurseries will stay open.

Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, building merchants and suppliers of building products, off-licences and market stalls selling essential retail may also stay open.

Businesses providing repair services may also stay open, where they primarily offer repair services.

Outdoor play areas can remain open.

End-of-year exams will not take place this summer as normal.

Elsewhere, university students should not return to campuses and will be taught online.

Restaurants can continue to offer delivery for food, but takeaway alcohol will be banned.

Outdoor sports venues - such as golf courses, tennis courts and outside gyms - must close.

Amateur team sports are not allowed, but elite sport such as Premier League football can continue.

Exercise can take place outdoors within your household, or with one other person from another household.

You must not travel between regions.