The leader of Cheshire East Council has "implored" residents to adhere to the new tier 4 restrictions which came into force today.

Under the strictest level, people have been told they must stay at home unless you have a "reasonable excuse".

Responding to the announcement, Cllr Sam Corcoran, said: "I implore all residents and businesses in Cheshire East to adhere to the government's tier 4 restrictions without exception. We will be working with partners to support people with these changes but will not hesitate to enforce the regulations where necessary.

"It is also vital that we all continue to observe the basics of hands, face, space. Remember, the virus spreads through droplets breathed out by an infected person. If we do the right thing and keep our distance, we cannot spread the infection.

Cllr Craig Browne, the council's deputy leader, said the restrictions would have a "significant impact" on local businesses and that the council was looking at ways to support them.

The borough's health chief, Dr Matt Tyrer, said: "We are now seeing infection rates in Cheshire East of more than 200 cases per 100,000 people over seven days. This is a significant increase from the numbers we were seeing just a few days ago when we moved to tier 3.

"We have heard today that a second kind of vaccine has been approved for use in the UK. This is great news, but our optimism must be tempered by a determination to stick to the basics – don't forget 'hands, face, space' and you must make sure that if you have symptoms, you self-isolate and get a test. Self-isolating means that you do not leave your home for any reason, other than to get a test or in the case of an emergency."

The key changes that come tier 4 mean:

• You must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a 'reasonable excuse', such as for work, education, medical reasons and exercise;

• People who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to shield;

• Non-essential shops must close;

• Hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons must close; and

• Leisure and sports facilities such as leisure centres, gyms and indoor swimming pools must close.

Visit the government website for full details of tier 4 restrictions.