The Leader of South Kesteven District Council has called for residents to show patience and understanding following the announcement by the Prime Minister of changes to Coronavirus restrictions today.

After the announcement, Cllr Kelham Cooke and SKDC Chief Executive Karen Bradford took part in a national emergency briefing for all council leaders and chief executives where one of the key messages was for people to stay local.

Cllr Cooke said: "A significant part of South Kesteven borders Peterborough which has been placed in Tier 4. This will affect many of our district's residents, especially those who have family and friends outside the local area.

"Christmas plans for many, if not all of us, will have to change now that the planned five-day relaxation of restrictions from December 23 to 27 cannot happen. The limit on household mixing across England has been reduced to just Christmas Day and those in Tier 4 cannot meet other households, other than members of their support bubble who must also live in Tier 4.

"South Kesteven remains in Tier 3 where support bubbles of up to three households will now only be allowed on Christmas Day itself. Those of us in Tier 3 have also been encouraged to stay local and cannot host or visit people who live in a Tier 4 area.

"Our thoughts are with everyone who will be affected by this latest announcement. This is an incredibly difficult time but it is vital that we follow the Government advice and make the right decisions to protect ourselves and others.

"We must continue to protect ourselves, our families and the NHS, and continue to follow the guidelines that are now in place."

The Tier 4 rules come into effect tomorrow (Sunday, December 20) and mean that "non-essential" shops including clothes stores and hairdressers as well as gyms will have to close.

The changes come just days after Peterborough was upgraded from Tier 2 to Tier 3. London and much of the South East was also placed in Tier 4.

Tier 4 rules

• residents must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions
• non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close
• residents must work from home if they can, unless this is not possible eg manufacturing and construction sectors
• they should not enter or leave tier 4 areas
• Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home
• you can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space
• communal worship can continue to take place