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The Northeast is reportedly facing new coronavirus restrictions, including a 10 p.m. curfew in bars and restaurants and a ban on households from mingling.
The new rules are expected to go into effect after midnight Friday following a dramatic increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the area.
Newcastle City Council Leader Nick Forbes said “additional and temporary” measures are being planned to prevent another total lockdown.
He said he expected Health Secretary Matt Hancock to make an announcement Thursday morning.
It is understood that the measures will include a 10 pm curfew in pubs, restaurants and other licensed venues. The Chronicle Live website reported that people will also be prohibited from socializing with anyone outside of their home.
The restrictions will reportedly apply to Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, County Durham and Sunderland, which have seen the number of weekly cases increase.
Home care visits are expected to be restricted to essential visitors at these locations, and individuals will be advised to avoid public transportation at peak times, except for essential trips, and to avoid carpooling.
Forbes tweeted: “Some additional temporary restrictions are being planned to avoid another total lockdown.”
A Twitter user asked when the announcement would be made, adding that the “uncertainty creates a lot of anxiety in people.”
He replied: ‘We are awaiting confirmation from the Government on the final version of the regulation; I expect an announcement from the Secretary of Health tomorrow at 11 am.
Recent figures show that Newcastle has seen a sharp increase in its weekly rate, from 51.2 infections per 100,000 to 64.1.
It comes after local measures were implemented in Greater Manchester and Birmingham in an attempt to address the rising rates of infection.
Merseyside is also believed to be on the brink of closure. Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he expects new restrictions to be introduced after the region is added to the government’s watch list.
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