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The prime minister will announce a three-tiered system of measures in England aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.
What would the new system entail?
The country would be divided into three levels according to the level of restrictions that the government considers necessary: medium, high, very high.
When will they be announced?
The prime minister is expected to announce the measures in parliament after chairing a meeting of the COBRA committee on Monday.
This will be followed by a press conference, joined by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty.
Parliamentarians will debate and vote on the measures next week.
England is expected to split into three tiers for new restrictions
What restrictions would each level have?
Details have not been confirmed, but it is believed that residents under level three restrictions (the strictest) will have to avoid all non-essential travel and stay in their area.
It is not a total closure, as schools and places of worship are expected to remain open. But bars, clubs, cafes, gyms, beauty salons and hairdressers may be closed, along with shops and some services. There are conflicting reports on whether the restaurants would be forced to close.
Level two restrictions are expected to prohibit homes from mixing indoors. They may be allowed to meet in a private garden, but they must follow the rule of six and social distancing.
The top-tier restrictions are likely to be those that currently exist across England, including a 10pm curfew for bars and pubs and a ban on most gatherings of more than six people.
Boris Johnson is expected to announce the new measures on Monday.
What areas could be included in level three?
Nottingham has the highest rate of coronavirus infections in England: 2,763 new cases recorded in the seven days to October 8. This is 830.0 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 314.5 per 100,000 in the previous seven days.
Knowsley’s rate increased from 485.9 to 669.5, with 1,010 new cases, and Liverpool’s rate increased from 504.4 to 598.5, with 2,981 new cases.
Other possibilities could include West Lancashire (217.8 to 398.1, with 455 new cases); Exeter (from 229.8 to 380.5, with 500 new cases); Blackburn with Darwen (208.4 to 355.4, with 532 new cases); and Broxtowe (from 115.8 to 265.7, with 303 new cases).
How long will the restrictions last?
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is reported to have said the restrictions are expected to last four weeks, but this has not been confirmed by the government.
