Downing Street is reportedly preparing to impose a full scale national lockdown from as early as Wednesday. 

The restrictions could see everything except nurseries, schools, universities and non-essential shops close until Dec 1, according to reports.

The PM is believed to have held a meeting this afternoon with senior cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock amid soaring infection rates across the country. 

North East leaders have today been in negotiations with government officials about placing Teesside into Tier 3. Those talks are set to resume this weekend. 

However, it has now emerged that government is considering a national lockdown in a bid to save Christmas.

Documents from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) released on Friday showed Covid-19 was spreading significantly faster through England than the Government’s own predicted worst-case scenario for cases and hospital admissions.

Boris Johnson will announce the new measures at a press conference on Monday, according to The Times.

The restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until December 1, according to the paper.

However, no final decisions are believed to have been made, and tougher regional measures – such as the introduction of Tier 4 – are also being considered.