Covid-19 tiers: Norfolk to remain in tier 2

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital began giving people the Covid-19 vaccine last week

Norfolk will remain in the second tier of coronavirus restrictions following the government's review of the system in England.

Since 2 December, people in tier two areas have been forbidden from mixing with other households indoors.

Up to six people can meet outdoors, and pubs and restaurants must shut at 23:00 GMT.

Only North Norfolk and South Norfolk had a week-on-week fall in case rates in the week to 11 December.

County council leader Andrew Proctor said the decision was "to be expected".

"While this may be disappointing for many, I would encourage everyone to continue to follow the tier two rules and the government's latest advice on Christmas bubbles, so we can all play our part in driving cases down," he added.

"I hope that, by doing this, we will increase our chances of enjoying Christmas safely and be able to ease restrictions sooner.

"We cannot afford to drop our guard at this crucial point in the winter."

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker was "hugely disappointed" when the the county was placed in tier 2 after the second lockdown but on Thursday said it was "sensible and proportionate" to retain the current restrictions.

"I would always like us to move down but we just aren't there yet and hope you agree," he tweeted.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said cases in the east of England were up by two-thirds.

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire will be subject to tier three rules, as will Peterborough and parts of Surrey, East Sussex and Hampshire.

Swathes of the country already in tier three will remain there.

Bristol and North Somerset will move from tier three to tier two, and Herefordshire will move from tier two into tier one.

The changes come into effect at 00:01 on Saturday.

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