Tier three in Derbyshire will mean mass testing for all and may involve the army being brought in.

The whole of Derbyshire will be plunged into the strictest Tier 3 restrictions after lockdown ends on December 2.

Tier 3 comes to Derbyshire despite opposition from council leaders across the county, who wrote to the Prime Minister asking for Tier 2 measures to be introduced instead.

They said this was based on current virus rates across the county.

These rates show every area of Derbyshire, with the exception of Derbyshire Dales, still have case rates of Covid-19 above the national average.

Case rates in Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derby and South Derbyshire remain significantly higher than the national average.

Leaders in Derbyshire had said they had no idea which tier the county or areas of it could find themselves in, despite the Government insisting that decisions would be made in co-operation with local authorities and their experts.

The announcement that Derbyshire would be put into Tier 3 was released on the Government's website ahead of a statement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the House of Commons.

New Tier 3 restrictions from December 2 will mean that different households will not be allowed to mix indoors or most outdoor places – with an exception for support bubbles.

A maximum of six people will be allowed to meet in public spaces such as parks.

Bars, pubs and restaurants will remain closed but can operate takeaway and drive-through services.

All retail shops will be allowed to stay open in Tier 3.

Everyone who can work from home should do so, the Tier 3 rules dictate.

Schools and educational establishments will also be open, along with leisure centres, gyms and personal care businesses such as hair salons.

Indoor entertainment venues will remain closed, including cinemas.

The government advises against overnight stays, with an exemption for those within support bubbles.

Tier 3 rules are to avoid travelling outside your area other than where necessary such as for work and education.

Government says to "reduce the number of journeys where possible" and avoid car sharing with people outside of your household or support bubble.

Group exercise activities and sports in Tier 3 should not take place but organised activities for elite athletes, under 18s and disabled people can continue.

Covid-secure arrangements to allow care home visits are allowed but should include substantial screens, visiting pods and window visits.

Derby and the vast majority of Derbyshire was put into the former Tier 2 measures on October 31, the same day the current lockdown was announced, and after other areas were placed in further restrictions.

The county's public health director, Dean Wallace, had told the Local Democracy Reporting Service when lockdown was announced that the four-week shutdown was not enough to bring case rates back to safe levels.

He said the county had been ready to start talks on Tier 3.

The lockdown in Derbyshire has resulted in slowing infection rates but not to a safe enough level to allow the county to be placed in Tier 2.