Coronavirus news: Lockdown extended to Preston from midnight as government warns England R rate could be rising above 1

The rate of coronavirus transmission in England may be "levelling off", according to new stats from the ONS today.

The news comes as Nicola Sturgeon warned that new outbreaks around the world appeared to be linked to the hospitality industry and the reopening of pubs.

The UK has said it “will not hesitate” to add more countries, including France, to its coronavirus quarantine list overnight if action has to be taken.

It comes after the government announced on Thursday night that travellers returning from the UK from Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas would now have to quarantine for 14 days.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was asked if France would join the quarantine list. He told Sky News: “If we need to take action as you’ve seen overnight we will of course not hesitate to do that.”