Boris Johnson will address the nation tonight about tougher Covid restrictions - this is when he’s speaking

Boris Johnson is to address the nation regarding new Covid-19 restrictions on Monday 4 January.

The Prime Minister has come under pressure to take further steps in the fight to tackle rising cases of coronavirus.

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has confirmed a national lockdown north of the border until the end of January.

The tougher restrictions are announced on the same day the NHS begins its rollout of the University of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine.

When is Boris Johnson speaking today?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to make a televised address at 8pm on Monday 4 January, it has been confirmed.

Mr Johnson warned of tougher weeks ahead as the country looks to stop the spread of Covid-19 and rising infection rates.

Figures showed the number of patients in hospital with coronavirus in England between Christmas Day and 2 January had risen by a third.

On a visit to Chase Farm Hospital in north London, Mr Johnson said: “If you look at the numbers there's no question we will have to take tougher measures and we will be announcing those in due course.”

What will Boris say?

A new national lockdown could be enforced to combat the surge of Covid-19 cases across the country.

Scotland has already announced its plans for people to stay at home for the remainder of January and it seems likely the PM will follow suit for England.

Mr Johnson has come under fire from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who claimed the virus “is clearly out of control”.

“It’s not good enough for the Prime Minister to hint at further restrictions at unspecified times and then do nothing,” said Sir Keir.

“He must put national restrictions in place within the next 24 hours. No more dither, no more delay.”

What does this mean for schools?

The announcement comes amid uncertainty around schools reopening following the festive break.

Teaching unions have ordered the government to press pause on a return to the classroom until the safety of staff and pupils can be guaranteed.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said it was safe for primary schools to reopen in all but the worst-hit areas of England.

“There is clear public health advice behind the position that we have taken and that is what people should follow because, of course, education is very important as well, especially for people's long-term health,” he told Sky News.