LANCASHIRE, West Yorkshire, Wolverhampton and Merseyside have been handed tough new lockdown rules with a ban on seeing friends from next Tuesday.
Even more Brits face strict local lockdown measures and curfews will be introduced in Lancashire and Merseyside as the number of new coronavirus cases in Liverpool spiralled to 100.6 cases per 100,000.
It comes after huge parts of the North East – including Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland were handed stricter local lockdown measures.
Pubs and restaurants in Lancashire, Warrington, Halton and Merseyside will have to close at 10pm from Tuesday.
People will also not be allowed to meet with anyone who is outside their household or support bubble in those areas as well as Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Oadby and Wigston.
But the new rules do not apply to people in Blackpool and Greater Manchester.
Around 10 million people in the UK have to follow tough restrictions.
The rate of coronavirus infections in Warrington has soared to 111.2 per 100,00.
Other areas of Lancashire, including Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Preston are still under local lockdown restrictions with a ban on meeting other households.
It comes as
- Huge parts of the North East were put under strict local lockdown yesterday with 10pm curfews
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned a new national lockdown could be brought in
- Mr Hancock gave Brits a stern warning not to skip self isolation by getting tested
- London could be two weeks away from lockdown with restricted opening hours for pubs and restaurants
- Hundreds of drinkers hit the town for a last boozy night out before a North East lockdown comes into force today
- Scores of coronavirus hotspots across the country have emerged in recent weeks
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ““We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise fast in Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warrington, Halton and Wolverhampton.
“Local leaders in these areas have asked for stronger restrictions to be put in place to protect local people, and we are acting decisively to support them.
“I know these restrictions will make every-day life harder for many, but I know that residents will work together and respect the rules so we can reduce rates of transmission.”