London will move into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions imminently, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told MPs from the capital.
The move will see thousands of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants close in the capital, except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services.
Under Tier 3 measures, people must not meet socially indoors, in private gardens, or at most outdoors public venues with anyone they do not live with or are not in a support bubble with.
The heightened restrictions also mean fans will likely once again be banned from football stadiums and other sporting venues.
And theatres are also set to have to close their doors once more.
However, the “rule of six” will allow people from different households to continue meeting in small groups outdoors in parks, public gardens, playgrounds or outdoor sports facilities.
Earlier on Monday, London’s MPs were briefed on the worsening COVID-19 situation in the capital.
One London MP said there was a “lot of frustration”, with no real answers to their questions.
It was the “same gloomy outlook as last week’s meeting except all the data is even worse, almost back to the levels pre-lockdown”.