But last night, Prime Minister Boris Jonson said that the best approach for the whole of the UK is "a national lockdown that is tough enough to contain this variant."
Our photographer NEIL CROSS went along to Preston city centre to see what difference the announcement had made.
9.
Reverting back to the message at the forefront of the UK's first lockdown, he reminded viewers to "stay home"
10.
Residents in England are now only permitted to leave home to shop for essentials, work - if they cannot do so from home - seek medical assistance, or to escape domestic abuse.
11.
The clinically extremely vulnerable should recommence shielding. Johnson said these people will soon receive a letter with more information.
12.
Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges must move to remote learning from tomorrow (5 Jan), apart from children of key workers. Nurseries and early years childcare facilities will still open as normal