More UK areas move into higher risk COVID tiers, says health minister

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock attends a media briefing at Downing Street, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London

LONDON (Reuters) - British health minister Matt Hancock said on Thursday more areas in England than before would be in the higher risk tiers with tougher restrictions from Dec. 2 to fight the coronavirus pandemic and reduce its spread.

"While all three tiers are less stringent that the national lockdown that we're all living in now, to keep people safe and to keep the gains that are being made, more areas than before will be in the top two tiers," Hancock told parliament, adding that the measures will be kept under regular review.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Elizabeth Piper, editing by Estelle Shirbon)