More areas in the North of England will not be able to meet in any indoor setting - full list of locations
Stricter coronavirus restrictions have been put in place for further areas in the North of England, as cases continue to rise.
Liverpool, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesborough are all now subject to tougher restrictions.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIllegal for households to mix
The new rules mean it will be illegal for households to meet in indoor settings, including pubs, restaurants and homes, in the North West areas of Liverpool and Warrington, and the North East areas of Hartlepool and Middlesborough.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs he wanted the new rules to stay in place for "as short a time as possible.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on the morning of Thursday 1 October, Mr Hancock said, "In some parts of the country the virus is spreading fast.
"In Liverpool the number of cases are 268 per 1,000 - so we need to act.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Today I am extending these measures that have been in place in the North East since the start of this week to the Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.”
The Health Secretary added, "The rules will be as follows, we recommend against all social mixing between people in different households, we will bring in regulations as we have in the North East to prevent, in law, social mixing between people in different households in all settings except outdoor public spaces like parks and outdoor hospitality."
Mr Hancock also said a £7 million funding package would be provided to the affected areas.
Alongside the new rule on mixing indoors, people in these areas should also:
not attend amateur sports events as spectatorsonly visit care homes in exceptional circumstancesadhere to guidance against all but essential travel