Speculation is mounting that schools and non-essential retail will be closed across the Harrogate district as the Prime Minister prepares to make an announcement tonight.

Local families, businesses and individuals must now wait until Boris Johnson's 8pm briefing to hear if the country will face tighter restrictions once again.

One business organisation has said that further restrictions are inevitable. Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

It is expected that tougher rules will be announced tonight, with growing concern surrounding the reopening of schools in the coming weeks and the effect on the growing covid infection rate.

Currently, guidance is in place for schools to stagger their reopening, but this decision has caused controversy with some who believe schools should be closed completely. Teachers' unions have called for a total closure, advising their members not to return to work in person if they do not believe it is safe to do so.

The Harrogate district moved into tier three last week forcing hospitality venues to close, except for takeaway food. If the district moves up to tier four, non-essential retail would close and a strong "stay at home" message would be enforced.

However, there is widespread expectation that the Prime Minister will announce a full lockdown, as has already been confirmed for Scotland. It could mean the closure of all schools and non-essential retail, if it follows the same pattern as the first lockdown last March.

Read more:

• Harrogate district venues 'frustrated' by abrupt tier change


• Union says New Year plans for Harrogate district schools 'inoperable'