Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to make a TV address this evening after admitting further steps are required to combat the spread of Covid.

Despite Hitchin and the whole of Hertfordshire being moved into Tier 4 only days before Christmas the government are expected to introduce tougher measures in a bid to quell the growth of coronavirus in 2021.

The PM indicated that the country should prepare for what will be a third lockdown after pledging to do what it takes to get Covid numbers under control.

Downing Street revealed that Mr Johnson will be recalling Parliament on Wednesday with the PM expected to give a speech on TV at 8pm tonight, Monday, January 4.

A No10 spokesman said: "The spread of the new variant of Covid has led to rapidly escalating case numbers across the country.

"The PM is clear that further steps must now be taken to arrest this rise and to protect the NHS and save lives.

"He will set those out this evening."

Hitchin and north Herts - along with many regions across the country - have seen a spike in Covid cases over the last few weeks, with numbers on the rise in our area.

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On Sunday, the UK recorded more than 50,000 new Covid cases for the sixth day in succession, with 454 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

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