HAMPSHIRE residents have been warned to "stay on their guard" and follow the rules as the county falls. Tier 4.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock lead a Downing Street press conference at 3pm, where it was announced that Hampshire will be going into tighter tiers.

As of 12.01am on Boxing day, Southampton and Hampshire will be entering tier 4 restrictions - excluding the New Forest which will be tier 3.

MPs from across the country have described the news as "disappointing".

Royston Smith, MP for Southampton Itchen told the Daily Echo: "It’s very disappointing but not terribly surprising.

"At least we will still be able to spend Christmas Day with our families. Sadly too many people think the guidance doesn’t apply to them, it does.

"Infections are rising and so too are deaths.

"We must all stay on our guard and follow the guidance until full roll out of the vaccine which will take months to administer.”

MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, said that "none of us want to be in this situation".

"The briefing I have had today has made it clear that the areas closest to tier 4 have had the fastest increase in rates of infection," she said.

"None of us want to be in this situation and it is imperative that people change their behaviours to make sure they observe the Tier 4 conditions.

"I appreciate how very worried people are, especially by the new variant which spreads very quickly, as we have seen in Hampshire over the last few days.

"The best protection is to limit your social contacts and to be very careful about where you go and how many people you mix with.

"I am desperately worried about the impact this will have on businesses, and I think there is a good case for recalling Parliament, fully virtually, so MPs have the opportunity to ask the Chancellor what more he will be doing to help business and jobs in the areas that are moving into Tier 4.

"The Chancellor needs to recognise the appalling impact this will have on businesses and steps into help, not just hospitality and retail, but also crucially those in the well-being sector who have not had many of the support grants and tax breaks offered to others."

The Daily Echo contacted Paul Holmes, MP for Eastleigh, and Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton North, for a comment but they did not respond.