Christmas restrictions are expected to be tightened as the government debates how to halt rising coronavirus infection rates.

A tier-4 set of restrictions is understood to be introduced for London and the South East.

Update: New Christmas restrictions confirmed by Prime Minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is locked in emergency talks with the cabinet and senior scientific advisers.

It comes as chief medical officer for England, professor Chris Whitty, said the new mutation of coronavirus – which has been spreading in the South East – was spreading quickly.

A press conference is due to take place at 4pm on Saturday (19 December) where the Prime Minister, along with Prof Whitty and the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, will update the nation on the proposals.

Current Christmas restrictions see up to three households allowed to meet indoors, forming a bubble, from December 23-27.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister urged those in England to ‘keep it small’ for family gatherings amid rising concern about the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

See the latest coronavirus cases and information near you

On Thursday (17 December) it was confirmed by the Health secretary Matt Hancock that Preston and Lancashire would be staying in tier-3 restrictions – despite falling infection rates in many parts of the county.

Preston’s latest coronavirus infection rate is 221.5 cases per 100,000 people – for the seven days to December 14.

Read more: Preston City Council leader reacts to the tier-3 decision

The city has been under enhanced Covid-19 restrictions since early August.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines