Metro

Metro leads with the prospect of a “Tier 5” lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in the UK.

The Salvation Army has been helping “stranded truck drivers facing their third night with little to eat and nowhere to stay” after France closed its border to the UK, the Metro reports.

Jingle hell is the headline on the Metro, which reports that the new mutant variant of COVID-19 has led to a UK travel ban all over the world.

The Metro says Europe has lined up to ban British travellers after the new coronavirus variant sent new cases soaring by 51% in a week.

Nearly 40% of nurses have been forced to go without meals or use food banks due to low pay, according to the Metro. Niaomi Gordon, a 32-year-old nurse who has suffered with long-COVID, spoke to the newspaper about using food banks as she struggles to support herself and her 14-year-old son. 

Metro’s front page bears the prime minister’s message from his Downing Street news conference: Have yourself a merry little Christmas – little being the operative word this year as the government urges people to curb their Christmas celebrations.Read our guide to the rules this Christmas here.

The relaxation of coronavirus restrictions at Christmas could be in trouble as medical experts have warned the plans could lead to many more deaths, according to Metro. 

A new fast-growing coronavirus strain has been found in Britain which is linked to an “exponential” rise in infections that will put London and parts of South East England into Tier 3 from Wednesday, reports Metro.Read more about the mutation here.

Tomorrow’s Metro leads on Brexit talks continuing into next week after EU leaders failed to reach an agreement, despite Sunday’s deadline.

The Metro leads on the prime minister’s warning that the UK may exit the EU on the same trading terms the union has with Australia.