Swindon will enter Tier 3 after cases of COVID-19 cases significantly increased.
The changes take effect from 0.01am on Boxing Day (26 December), however, the Wiltshire Council area will remain in Tier 2 after a smaller rise in cases.
Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Warrington will also go into Tier 3, but neighbouring Oxfordshire will enter Tier 4.
The rise in coronavirus cases is blamed on the new variant of the virus, which is said to be significantly more transmissible.
Health minister Matt Hancock said that “this is not news that anyone wants to deliver”, adding that he is “truly sorry” for the disruption these changes cause.
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