Audio By Carbonatix
A second lockdown is needed to "contain the surge", Boris Johnson has told MPs, before they vote on implementing restrictions in England.
The PM is likely to win the Commons vote on the measures later, with Labour's help - but around 20 Tory MPs could vote against them.
A four-week lockdown which includes the closure of pubs, gyms non-essential shops is due to start at midnight.
Mr Johnson said another lockdown was "not something any of us wanted to do".
Opening the debate, he added: "I am not prepared to take the risk with the lives of British people".
LIVE: MPs debate and vote on second England lockdown #coronavirus https://t.co/HcIoyczX2R
— Cheshire Live - Crewe (@CheshireLiveCrw) November 4, 2020
The restrictions will replace the three-tiers of regional restrictions across England.
One Tory rebel, former chief whip, Mark Harper said: "We have acted too soon because we are starting to see the tier system working."
Mr Johnson said he was "wrong" and the data showed hospitalisations mounting steadily, adding: "The curve is already unmistakeable."
Earlier at Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr Johnson of "ignoring" the advice of government scientists who called for a brief "circuit breaker" lockdown in September.
"Does the prime minister understand the human cost of his delay in acting?," he asked the PM.
Mr Johnson said it was "always right to pursue a local and a regional approach as our scientific advisers," adding that it was "showing signs of working".
Latest Stories
-
Russia opens neo-Nazism exhibition at International Festival of Youth 2026
4 minutes -
VC inaugurates three committees ahead of UG’s 80th anniversary celebration
10 minutes -
Today’s Front pages: Monday, September 14, 2026
18 minutes -
The Or Foundation to launch recycled textiles platform Foose Materials during London Design Week
24 minutes -
110 children at Cardiothoracic Centre get second chance at life as Ghana Medical Trust Fund marks first year
28 minutes -
‘I’m suffering’ – Motherless 12-year-old who lost both legs, father in Ofankor-Pokuase crash seeks support
32 minutes -
Education Ministry extends 2026 SHS placement exercise by one week
2 hours -
Better roads will create sustainable jobs for Ghana’s youth – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
2 hours -
Kumasi Expressway to cut travel time, boost economic activity – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
2 hours -
GOIL could hold fuel prices despite $100 crude oil shock – Edward Bawa
2 hours -
Fitch lifts Ghana’s 2026 current account surplus forecast to 7.8%
2 hours -
Do not identify yourself as Ziavi Paramount Chief or Queen – Volta Region House of Chiefs warns
2 hours -
Sosu demands probe into $260m cocaine shipment seized in France
2 hours -
Mahama to receive cleared Accra-Kumasi Expressway right-of-way today
3 hours -
Mahama to cut sod for US$1.3bn Sentuo Airport Garden City on Tuesday
3 hours