Responding to the announcement that restrictions will be raised to Tier 3 in London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire in response to increasing infections and admissions for COVID-19, and to the disclosure of a new variant of the virus, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"No one wants to see additional constraints imposed on people as we head into the festive season, but this is the right call.

"We have argued consistently for the measures to be appropriately strengthened where it's clear the rate of infections requires it, and that is what we are seeing.

"Trust leaders tell us they are seeing significantly more pressure than expected as a result of increasing COVID-19 hospital admissions.

"That is a bad position to be in as winter takes hold.

"It's right to act now to stem the spread of the virus to head off overwhelming pressure in January and February.

"We would urge the government to keep the restrictions under very close review as we head towards the immediate Christmas period, and exercise a safety first approach which may require very difficult decisions.

"It's concerning to hear the increase in cases may be attributable in part to a new variant of the virus, but it's also reassuring to learn that this is unlikely to affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.

"These developments underline the importance of continued hygiene measures and social distancing to keep COVID-19 in check."