Hancock says so far it seems vaccine will still work on this variant of the virus.

Areas going into Tier 3 from Weds: Greater London; south and west of Essex; south Hertfordshire.

Details for Essex and Herts:
Basildon, Brentwood, Harlow, Epping Forest, Castle Point, Rochford, Malden, Braintree, Chelmsford, plus Thurrock and Southend on Sea.
Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Watford, and Three Rivers authority.

"it's highly unlikely that this new variant will impinge the vaccine" says Hancock.

Hancock to Hunt: "The question he asked about Christmas shopping is important. It is recommended that people should minimise travel unless it's necessary in a tier3 area, and should minimise travel where it's necessary to a tier 3 area."
Bad news for Oxford St et al.

V imp to note that variations in the virus have occurred in other countries too, not least in Spain. Govt need to be clearer on whether this variant is like similar to other virus mutations, which can be more infectious but less deadly