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The capital, along with Essex, Elmbridge, Barrow-in-Furness, York, North East Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield will move into the second tier of measures – including a ban on households mixing indoors, including pubs and restaurants.

But a bitter political row has so far prevented Greater Manchester being moved into Tier 3, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock telling MPs he wanted to see “rapid progress” on the issue.

A call between Greater Manchester leaders and Downing Street officials failed to reach an agreement on new restrictions and there will be further meetings later today.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock delivers a ministerial statement on COVID-19 in the House Of Commons, London.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been resisting following the Liverpool City Region into Tier 3 restrictions, which include the closure of pubs and bars unless they can operate as restaurants.

Mr Hancock told MPs: “Let us be under no illusions about the danger posed by this virus.

“Coronavirus is deadly and it is now spreading exponentially in the UK.

He added “discussions are ongoing” with local leaders on moving areas classed as high to very high, and thanked the leadership in Liverpool for their “public service and cross-party teamwork” in agreeing such an increase in the alert level.

Mr Hancock said that there has been no decision yet on areas like Sheffield that are currently in Tier 2, moving to stricter restrictions.

He told the Commons: “In other areas currently in the second tier where discussions are ongoing, no further decisions have yet been made but we need to make rapid progress.”

The new tiered system only came into effect on Wednesday and the decision to re-categorise areas so soon is an indication of growing concerns about the speed at which the virus is again spreading.

The Health Secretary said: “Now, I know that these measures are not easy but I also know that they are vital.

“Responding to this unprecedented pandemic requires difficult choices, some of the most difficult choices any Government has to make in peacetime.

“We make these decisions with a heavy heart with the sole aim to steering our nation through troubled waters.

“Things will get worse before they get better but I know that there are brighter skies and calmer seas ahead.”

Matt Hancock gives update on Sheffield moving to Tier 3 and warns ‘things will get worse’