The owner of a Lincolnshire hair and beauty salon says she is upset at having to close her business again when tier four coronavirus restrictions come into place on Thursday.

Image source, Reuters

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in the House of Commons a short time ago that the county faces the toughest tier four Covid restrictions due to increasing cases of infection.

Tier four means all non-essential shops, hairdressers and nail bars must close.

Sophie Hare, of Hare and Beauty in Ruskington, says she isn't surprised by the announcement and think it's the right decision to help get the virus under control.

However, she adds: "I think I can speak on behalf of the majority of everyone in the country when I say we are just fed-up of it, I think we have all had enough now."

Ms Hare adds that both staff and clients are "frustrated" by the news and the closure will put an extra toll on people's mental health.

The leader of Lincolnshire County Council says he is "disappointed" by the government's decision to move Lincolnshire into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Martin Hill says infection rates in the county have fallen significantly in recent weeks so he is disappointed by the decision to move Lincolnshire to tier four restrictions from tomorrow.

He says he is still waiting for an explanation about why the county will be moved up to the tougest level of restrictions.

Councillor Hill says he will also be asking the government about what support will be given to businesses in Lincolnshire once they are forced to close again.

Lincolnshire is to be put into the toughest tier four coronavirus restrictions from the start of tomorrow, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

The move was confirmed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the House of Commons a short time ago.

Tier four rules include a "stay at home" order, and mean businesses such as hairdressers and gyms must close.

On Tuesday, 53,135 new Covid cases were recorded in the UK, external - the highest single day rise since mass testing began - as well as 414 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

The tier four restrictions are similar to the last national lockdown, external and include:

• Residents should stay at home, unless they have a "reasonable excuse" such as work or education
• All non-essential shops must close
• Hairdressers and nail bars must close
• Indoor entertainment venues must close
• Gyms and indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts and dance studios must close
• You cannot meet other people indoors, unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble
• People should not leave tier four areas or travel abroad, except for limited reasons (including work and education)
• Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are only allowed in exceptional circumstances

"Clinically extremely vulnerable" people in tier four areas, external are advised to stay at home "as much as possible". The government says if they can't work from home, they shouldn't go to work.

Lincolnshire is to be put into the toughest tier four coronavirus restrictions, it's just been confirmed.

Tier four rules include a "stay at home" order and mean businesses such as hairdressers and gyms must close.

More to follow...

Work to dredge the River Steeping is still ongoing after the Environment Agency (EA) found more silt than expected.

Image source, Environment Agency

In June 2019, heavy rainfall caused the River Steeping to burst its bank damaging hundreds of homes and destroying crops.

Just over a year later, the EA began work to dredge the river in an effort to stop it happening again.

Almost 30,000 cubic metres of silt has so far been removed, but because the EA has found more than expected, the project has now been extended by several weeks.

In a statement, the EA says: "Our partners are committed to reducing flood risk on the Steeping river."

Lincolnshire's most famous foul-mouthed birds are going to get their own enclosure, with signs installed to warn people about their offensive language.

Staff at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Friskney had to move the African Greys out of public earshot because of their blue language.

The birds arrived at the park earlier this year, but staff said they were shocked to hear some of the words they would shout.

Park owner Steve Nichols now says staff are creating new quarters for the African Greys which will be signposted to warn visitors what they might overhear.

Schools in Lincolnshire should remain closed while coronavirus infection levels remain high, according to the president of the county's branch of the National Education Union (NEU).

Image source, Reuters/Eddie Keogh

Under current plans, the majority of secondary school pupils in England are due to start term on 4 January studying remotely, to give head teachers time to implement a round of coronavirus testing for students and staff.

Primary school students will return as normal during the same week and will not be tested for Covid-19.

Those in exam years and vulnerable pupils will return in person first, with the rest expected to go back on 11 January.

Members of the armed forces are to give remote support to secondary schools and colleges in England setting up mass Covid testing as the new term begins.

Chris Thompson, president of the Lincolnshire branch of the NEU, is not convinced it's enough.

He says "I'm very sceptical it is going to work, so I would keep the schools closed. I know there is a huge amount of anxiety in schools with parents and pupils."

Lincolnshire is waiting to hear whether the government will be moved up into the highest level of Covid-19 restrictions.

Image source, Google maps

An announcement is due this afternoon to confirm whether Lincolnshire will be moved into a higher level of restrictions.

The county is currently in tier three - very high alert - meaning that non-essential shops are allowed to still open.

But many traders have struggled as fewer people hit the shops. Karl Jacklyn, owner of Agatha's Boutique and Todd's Menswear in Lincoln, said: "Because people have got no parties to go to, no New Year's Eve parties to go to, people, with respect, don't really need any nice clothes at the moment."

It's a chilly day in Lincolnshire today. Temperatures will dip below freezing from early afternoon.

You can find your local forecast here.