Londoners to be banned from indoor social contact with other households.

Greater London will be placed under Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions from midnight on Friday.

The restrictions, deemed ‘high’ on the Covid-19 alert scale, mean people will be banned from meeting indoors with anyone from another household. Those in support bubbles will still be able to meet.

Bars and restaurants will remain open but only to serve single households. People will not be allowed to socialise with other households in these venues unless they are seated outside.

The restrictions currently apply in other areas of the country, including Nottingham and large parts of the North including West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester – though this region could soon enter the highest level of restrictions under Tier 3.

London MPs were briefed by the government on Thursday morning about the move to increased restrictions. The Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the change in a House of Commons statement later in the day.