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New restrictions have come into effect in northeast England to halt the rise in coronavirus cases, affecting nearly two million people.
The temporary measures, which began at midnight, are aimed at addressing “worrying infection rates” in the region.
The rules affect Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and the Durham County Council area.
Pubs and restaurants must close early and domestic mixing has been limited.
Responding to the rise in infections, Newcastle City Council Leader Nick Forbes said: “The evidence we have found from local testing is that it is spreading in three main areas: in pubs, in people’s homes. and in grassroots sports “.
Meanwhile the BBC understands that new local blocking restrictions will be introduced in most of Lancashire, with the exception of Blackpool.
An announcement on the measures in parts of North West England is expected from the government later on Friday.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told the Liverpool Echo that “we expect” additional restrictions as infection rates in the city have risen above 100 per 100,000 inhabitants.
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The council areas of Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead and County Durham are affected
The new measures for North East England include:
- Meeting with people outside of your home or support bubble in private homes and gardens is prohibited (exemptions include attending a birth, visiting someone who is dying, work, education, registered child care, emergencies or care issues, moving house and contact arrangements with the child)
- People are advised not to socialize outside their home in public places.
- Residents should only use public transportation for essential purposes, such as going to school or work
- Pubs, restaurants and cafes should only have table service and all entertainment venues should close at 22:00
- Holidays are allowed, but only with members of your household or support bubble
- Traveling outside the area is allowed, but not visiting another home or garden.
- People must not be spectators in any grassroots sport or play sports in restricted areas.
- Schools, colleges and universities remain open
- Nursing homes are closed to non-essential visitors, except in end-of-life circumstances.
- There are no local changes to funerals, weddings or religious ceremonies.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The data says we must act now.”
He said Sunderland currently has an infection rate of 103 cases per 100,000 people. In South Tyneside and Gateshead, the last published rates were 93.4 and 83.6 respectively.
Concerns have been raised about increased wait times for coronavirus test results for people using community testing centers.
In Sunderland, drivers queued outside a Covid testing center, only to find out later that it was empty.
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There is still confusion about some of the measures.
Discussions between the council and the government were still continuing over whether to exclude grandparents who help with childcare from the restrictions.
Forbes tweeted that Newcastle City Council had “specifically” requested that this be allowed and was “awaiting” confirmation from the government.
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Municipalities have requested additional funds to monitor the local closure.
Council leaders have also requested additional funds for surveillance, as well as additional testing facilities.
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth echoed the need for more testing capacity to be available in areas where there are more stringent restrictions.
He said it was urgent that the government “fix the tests, fix the tracking” or we face a “very bleak winter.”
Durham County Public Health Director Amanda Healy said: “If we want to be able to keep going to work, to schools, to stay in touch with family members, but stop an increase in cases that we have seen, we are really urging people to adhere to the guide that is published today. “
Gateshead Council Leader Martin Gannon said: “Nobody likes these things, but I think the vast majority of people recognize that these are extremely difficult times and we must all act and unite.”
Small businesses generally welcomed the closure, but called for more support in adapting to the new measures.
Simon Hanson, Northeast Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was “absolutely critical” that small and micro businesses receive grants quickly to help them adapt and provide cash flow.
An estimated 10 million people in the UK are currently facing additional coronavirus restrictions, with local closures covering parts of Scotland, South Wales, the North West and North East of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
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