Hitchin MP Bim Afolami has admitted the move to Tier 3 is 'baffling'.

At lunchtime today, Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock ordered the whole of Hertfordshire to be placed into the strictest measures to combat the rising spread of Covid.

In a speech in the House of Commons, Mr Hancock announced that our town and all of our county will be in Tier 3 from Saturday.

Speaking to exclusively to Nub News, Hitchin's parliamentarian, Mr Afolami explained: "I am extremely disappointed to receive the news that Hitchin and Harpenden, in line with the whole of Hertfordshire, will be moving into Tier 3.

"This is baffling to me, considering that this constituency has the lowest Covid rates not only in Hertfordshire, but the East of England region.

"I am currently in discussions with the Department of Health to figure out the path to get us out of Tier 3, because I know how damaging this will be for our local businesses and our society."