A council is urging people to not panic buy when Hertfordshire moves into Tier 4.

Boris Johnson announced that from Sunday, areas in London, eastern and south-east England currently in Tier 3 will be moved into a new Tier 4.

During a Downing Street press conference, he said that non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close in Tier 4 areas.

Hertfordshire County Council has told residents that there will be “plenty of stock to go round” in supermarkets and essential shops when it is placed into the toughest restrictions on Sunday.

In a tweet, the council said: “Please do not use this news as a reason to panic buy food or other essential supplies. Supermarkets and essential shops will remain open, and have plenty of stock to go round.”

Areas moving to Tier 4 will effectively be returning to the lockdown rules of November.

These areas will not be able to join or form Christmas bubbles.

For everyone else in England, the Christmas “bubble” policy – allowing up to three household to meet up over the holiday period – will be severely curtailed to apply on Christmas Day only.

It comes after scientists warned of the rapid spread of the new variant coronavirus.

At a No 10 news conference, Mr Johnson said he was taking the actions with a “heavy heart”, but the scientific evidence – suggesting the new strain was up to 70 per cent more transmissible – had left him with no choice.

In a statement, Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams said the move to Tier 4 is “very disappointing” but said it is "vital" to follow the new rules to bring infections down.

He said: "The Government has taken this decision in response to a new, faster spreading variant of the virus which is creating a significant increase to case number across London and the south east.

“It is vital we follow the new rules to prevent it spreading. We recognise the concerns that this escalation will prompt with both residents and businesses, and the additional restrictions and tougher rules that this involves.

“We also recognise the sacrifices they will be making yet again for the health, wellbeing and safety of the county.”