Boris Johnson has announced his 'Covid winter plan' to the House of Commons.

This has included an update on how families can see their loved ones and a return to tiered, local coronavirus restrictions.

Speaking to the House of Commons, he said for the first time we can see a route out of the pandemic as testing, treatments and vaccines are in sight.

By next Spring, he adds, the whole purpose of lockdown will be made redundant.

He said: "The national restrictions in England will end on December 2 and they will not be renewed. Restriction on when you can leave the house will be lifted, weddings can resume and gyms can reopen."

However, Mr Johnson stressed that the measures will not be replaced by a "free for all" but a regional approach.

He added that the previous tiered system were not strong enough, so the scientific advice as we come out of lockdown is to make the tiers tougher.

In tier one people should work from home, in tier two alcohol should only be served with meals in pups, and in tier three a series of venues including cinemas will have to close.

I cannot say Christmas will be normal, said Mr Johnson, suggesting "we don't want to throw caution to the wind and allow the virus to flare up again and force us back into lockdown in January".

He says he is working with devolved governments to come up with a plan to temporarily ease restrictions over the festive period.

But the virus doesn't know it is Christmas, he adds, and families will need to make judgements about whether or not to visit elderly relatives.

Boris Johnson has said all local authorities in tier three restrictions in England will be offered a six week surge in testing which, if it works, should offer people who test negative a chance to escape some of the most severe restrictions.

The Prime Minister adds that testing will also be offered to care home staff and health workers. Care homes will be able to have two visitors a week - who will be tested. Testing will start in prisons and food manufacturing.