Tier 4 restrictions could shut betting shops until vaccine rolled out widely

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned Tier 4 restrictions could remain in place until a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out more widely.

Hancock's update on Sunday morning followed the announcement by prime minister Boris Johnson on Saturday evening that London and parts of the south-east and east of England will move into Tier 4 of the government's Covid-19 restrictions and face tougher measures over the Christmas period.

The new restrictions, which came into force overnight, mean all non-essential retail – including betting shops – must close in a bitter blow to the industry just weeks after they reopened at the end of the most recent lockdown between November 5 and December 2.

Betting shops will also close in Scotland from December 26 when level 4 restrictions come into effect.

Speaking to Sky News's Sophy Ridge, Hancock was asked if people waking up under Tier 4 restrictions should expect those rules to remain until the vaccine is distributed widely.

Matt Hancock: 'It is going to be very difficult to keep it under control until we have the vaccine rolled out'Credit: Dan Abraham

Hancock said: "Essentially, we have got to get that vaccine rolled out to keep people safe. Given how much faster this new variant spreads it's going to be very difficult to keep it under control until we have the vaccine rolled out.

"We have really got to get this under control. The cases in the Tier 4 areas have absolutely rocketed in the last few days – the last two weeks or so. We have a long way to go to solve this."

The BHA confirmed on Saturday racing will continue as normal in Tier 4 areas, but with no spectators allowed and owners subject to the same restrictions as during the national lockdown in November.

Racecourses in the affected areas had already moved their fixtures behind closed doors, including Kempton's two-day fixture starting on Boxing Day and featuring the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson's stars Altior and Shishkin slated to run on the December 27 card.

Kempton was one of the first racecourses to welcome back spectators this month on December 2 and Simon Durrant, Kempton general manager, is keen for the show to continue despite the "hugely disappointing" news this week that the most high-profile meeting of the festive period in Britain will take place without spectators in attendance.

Kempton: will not have packed grandstands for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Durrant said: "It was hugely disappointing at the beginning of the week when we learned that Tier 3 was going to come into operation, that we’d be running behind closed doors.

"We were obviously one of the first courses that welcomed spectators back on December 2 meeting and having that atmosphere there was brilliant to have back, but sadly it’s not meant to be next weekend.

"Clearly it’s an important fixture and we’re keen to put on two fantastic days of high quality racing still."

Speaking on Racing TV's Luck on Sunday, Durrant added: "The most important thing is we have raced under lockdown rules before and know we can continue to work behind closed doors and that’s a huge testament to all the people in the sport in making it safe for everyone involved."

Read more:

Betting shops to shut in parts of England and Wales as PM delivers stark message

'We're ready to meet the demand' - Hereford keenly awaits first Tier 1 fixture

Christmas blow as key meetings go into Tier 3 and no Friday spectators at Ascot

Members can click here to download the digital newspaper every evening from 9pm. Not a member? Click here to sign up and enjoy the digital newspaper every day.