Boris Johnson is set to announce a month-long lockdown in England.
The measures, which will run through November until 2 December, will see the closure of pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops.
The prime minister is due to move the whole of England into tougher COVID-19 measures.
He is set to announce the move at a Downing Street press conference, which has been delayed until 6.30pm.
It is understood there will be a nationwide ban on different households mixing inside homes, although schools, universities and colleges will remain open.
The restrictions will be similar to those introduced at the start of the pandemic in March, however this time schools and universities are expected to remain open.
People will still be able to exercise outdoors, and travel to work if they cannot work from home, though restrictions on international travel are likely to be introduced.
