Plans to reopen bowling alleys, casinos and ice rinks from tomorrow have been scrapped - as have pilot schemes to restart socially distanced events.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered the statement at midday to confirm the news.
Mr Johnson said he knew the steps will be a 'real blow' to people who have had their plans disrupted.
Opposition party leaders were told of the change in a phone call this morning ahead of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's press conference at noon, reports The Mirror.
It said plans to reopen bowling alleys, casinos and ice rinks from tomorrow will be postponed - as will pilot schemes to restart socially distanced events.
This is a breaking news blog and updates will appear at the end of the article.
It comes as people from certain areas in the north of England face tightened lockdown restrictions from today following a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Residents from different households in Greater Manchester, parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire have been banned from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens.
The new rules also ban members of two different households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues, but these businesses will remain open for those visiting individually or from the same household.
The Government said it will give police forces and councils powers to enforce the new rules – adding that some exemptions will be put in place, including for the vulnerable.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said “households gathering and not abiding by the social-distancing rules” was a reason for the stricter rules, announced late on Thursday evening, and that the move was in order to “keep the country safe”.
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