The prime minister is set to outline the rules surrounding Christmas and restrictions after December 2 this afternoon.

Boris Johnson is expected to detail his winter strategy with a strengthened three-tier system to replace national lockdown in England to pave the way for a limited relaxation at Christmas.

More areas are expected to be placed in tier three next month, which will be strengthened to safeguard the gains made during the four-week lockdown.

Ministers will on Thursday set out what tier each area of England will enter.

A new major testing scheme is also expected to be proposed in an attempt to win over rebels on the Conservative backbenches.

Mass testing will be introduced in all tier three areas, similar to what has been happening in Liverpool, with military support.

All non-essential shops that have been shut during the national lockdown are expected to reopen on December 2 in a boost for retailers during the festive period.

Gyms and cinemas are also expected to reopen and outdoor grassroots sport is to be allowed again.

However, pubs and restaurants are set to be worst hit by the new strengthened tiered restrictions.

Pubs in tier three areas are expected to only be allowed to offer takeaway with pubs in tier two having to serve a substantial meal with drinks.

The 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants is expected to be relaxed to an extent.

Last orders will remain at 10pm for venues allowed to remain open, but customers will have until 11pm to finish food and drinks.

Mr Johnson will set out the basis of plans to allow a small number of households across the UK to mix over a limited number of days around Christmas, but is not expected to be in a position to give the specifics.

Mr Johnson is expected to tell MPs that “we are not out of the woods yet” but that “with expansion in testing and vaccines edging closer to deployment, the regional tiered system will help get the virus back under control and keep it there”.