Some of Kent's MPs and business people have reacted to the news Christmas plans will be cancelled in Kent this year, after the Prime Minister plunged the county into even tighter Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking from Downing Street this afternoon, Boris Johnson confirmed the stricter Tier 4 measures for the county amid growing concern over a new, fast-spreading strain of the coronavirus now circulating in the the south east.

MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch tweeted shortly after the announcement and said she was feeling down about it.

She said: "I feel quite down (personally & professionally) about tougher restrictions announced this afternoon but I also understand why this has happened.

"Our local hospitals have reached capacity, the virus & it's new variant is rife in our community. Focus must be on vaccine roll out."

The Cabinet had met earlier today, to discuss the mutation of the virus and the troubling increase in infection rates, both in Kent and beyond.

Mr Johnson had long wished to avoid dashing people's hopes of family gatherings during the festive season, but said his hand has been forced by spiralling case rates and the emergence of the new strain of the virus in the county.

He confirmed that household mixing at Christmas will now be off the agenda for Kent -where 51 Covid-19 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours - and other parts of the country worst-hit by the virus.

The news wasn't welcomed by one Kent freelance hairdresser, Nicola Chadwick.

She said: "What are the government playing at? I think this question remains on many minds.

They claim there is new data which they rely on but as usual, they make decisions too late. Maybe a full lockdown at half term would have been wise."

Nicola previously her job in a salon earlier in the hear to go freelance on a self-employed basis.

She added: "I've lost one of the busiest weeks of the year, I was fully booked for seven days up until Christmas Eve."

Many are in a similar to Nicola who says she can not claim a penny via the government scheme as she falls into a 'black hole'.

She added: "The hair and beauty trade has a high percentage of self employed.

"All the personal trainers at the local gyms and now unable to claim.

"We all need to keep people safe but is it a little too late the government are most disgraceful at making decisions.

"What a shambles."

The MP North Thanet, Sir Roger Gale also tweeted after the announcement and said it was vital for everyone to stick to the restrictions.

At the press conference, Mr Johnson said: "Cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions.

"First, we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas, specifically those parts of London, the south east and the east of England, which are currently in Tier 3.

"These areas will enter a new Tier 4 which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.

"That means residents in those areas must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law, non-essential retail, gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close, people must work from home where they can.

"People should not enter or leave Tier 4 areas, and Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor space."

Earlier England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, confirmed the newly-identified mutation of the virus does appear to be spreading faster that previous strains, and work is ongoing to assess its danger to those infected.

He said: "There is no current evidence to suggest the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments although urgent work is underway to confirm this.

"Given this latest development it is now more vital than ever that the public continue to take action in their area to reduce transmission."

Following today's announcement, Sevenoaks Bookshop told customers by email that the business is working on the assumption it can remain open for click-and-collect and prepaid orders.

"Huge thanks to all our customers for your continued support - we're so incredibly grateful and look forward to welcoming you into the bookshop in future, halcyon, Covid-free, calmer, happier times," the shop said.

Latest figures published by Kent County Council show there are currently 597 weekly cases per 100,000 people across the county, with Swale the worst-affected area with a rate of 792.9.

The national rate for England currently stands at 251.2.

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