In today’s briefing update, we look at the differing take on the new tier 4 restrictions announced. 

In our special feature, we’re looking deeper into the government’s U-turn, the new variant and the public’s reaction.

Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news. 

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The recurring message in Sunday’s papers is that “Christmas is cancelled”.

“Will this nightmare ever end?” asks the Mail on Sunday.

Scotland on Sunday similarly describes the tightening of measures as the “nightmare before Christmas”.

The Sun on Sunday points out that Boris Johnson is “the first British leader to ban Christmas since Oliver Cromwell in 1644”.

The Daily Star accuses the government of a “lack of clear thinking and consistency”. It fears Mr Johnson “no longer has the confidence of the voters”, who are likely to ignore the new rules.

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Christmas cancelled for millions

The Sunday Telegraph, like most papers, leads with the new Christmas restrictions. The paper says families’ plans have been thrown into “chaos”. England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty advised those under the new tier 4 to unpack their bags. From midnight, London and the large parts of the south-east will be in tier 4 and not mix with anyone outside of their household. 

For the rest of the UK, the relaxed Christmas indoor mixing rules have been cut from five days to just Christmas day. The announcement came just three days after the PM said he won’t cancel Christmas, the paper adds. The tough new restrictions come after scientists said a new coronavirus variant was spreading more rapidly. – Daily Telegraph 

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Bozo stuffs Christmas

The Daily Star Sunday’s front splash slams the prime minister’s tier 4 announcement as “brutal” and features a picture of Boris Johnson’s head superimposed on the body of a turkey. The Paper says the government’s U-turn has put millions into “lockdown 3”. – Daily Star

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CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED BY SURGING MUTANT VIRUS

“When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence,” Mr Johnson said at Saturday’s Downing Street briefing, the Sunday Times reports. It is believed the new variant accounts for the majority of the new infections in London, the paper adds. Meanwhile, ministers have alerted the WHO to the outbreak and expect other countries to prevent UK residents from crossing their borders. – Times

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WILL THIS NIGHTMARE EVER END? 

The Mail on Sunday asks: “Will this nightmare ever end?” Despite his efforts to blame the U-turn on the new variant, Mr Johnson is facing fury from Tory MPs, one of whom said “heads must roll” if scientists had not provided enough warning to ministers, the paper adds. – Daily Mail

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