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Covid rules: How much of the UK is now under some sort of lockdown? Covid rules: How much of the UK is now under some sort of lockdown?
(about 2 hours later)
Tighter coronavirus restrictions are due to be introduced in the Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough from Saturday.Tighter coronavirus restrictions are due to be introduced in the Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough from Saturday.
It comes after rises in cases in those areas, with the number of cases in Liverpool now up to 268 per 100,000 people. This will mean two-thirds of people in the north of England face extra restrictions. It comes after rises in cases in those areas, with the number of cases in Liverpool now up to 258 per 100,000 people in the latest week to 27 Sep. The average area in England had 28.
People will not be allowed to mix outside their households unless they are in an outdoor public space. They should also not attend amateur sports events as spectators, only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances, and follow guidance against all but essential travel. The extension will will mean two-thirds of people in the north of England face extra restrictions. People will not be allowed to mix outside their households unless they are in an outdoor public space.
They should also not attend amateur sports events as spectators, only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances, and follow guidance against all but essential travel.
What's already happening in north-east England?What's already happening in north-east England?
In parts of north-east England, households are banned from mixing with each other anywhere indoors (although support bubbles are exempt).In parts of north-east England, households are banned from mixing with each other anywhere indoors (although support bubbles are exempt).
This means you cannot go for a drink or a meal with someone you don't live with, in a pub or restaurant. The BBC has been told mixing in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal but would go against advice.This means you cannot go for a drink or a meal with someone you don't live with, in a pub or restaurant. The BBC has been told mixing in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal but would go against advice.
The measure already affects County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.The measure already affects County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.
The new ban will be enforced with fines. Anyone over 18 found breaking the rules can be dispersed by police, or face fines starting at £200 and going up to £6,400.The new ban will be enforced with fines. Anyone over 18 found breaking the rules can be dispersed by police, or face fines starting at £200 and going up to £6,400.
The restrictions don't apply to schools or workplaces.The restrictions don't apply to schools or workplaces.
The measures have been criticised for causing "confusion" because of a lack of detail.The measures have been criticised for causing "confusion" because of a lack of detail.
Which other areas have restrictions?Which other areas have restrictions?
The nature and extent of current restrictions vary around the UK, and they affect at least a quarter of the population.The nature and extent of current restrictions vary around the UK, and they affect at least a quarter of the population.
Other than north-east England, the other places affected, with links to more details for each area, are:Other than north-east England, the other places affected, with links to more details for each area, are:
England:England:
Wales:Wales:
Scotland:Scotland:
Northern Ireland:Northern Ireland:
Further details on the measures in place and specific areas affected have been published by the governments for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Further details on the measures in place and specific areas affected have been published by the governments for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How many people are under extra restrictions?How many people are under extra restrictions?
In total, at least 16.8 million people are in local lockdowns in the UK - about one in four people.In total, at least 16.8 million people are in local lockdowns in the UK - about one in four people.
This includes:This includes:
Currently, 66% of northern England faces restrictions and 22% of the Midlands.Currently, 66% of northern England faces restrictions and 22% of the Midlands.
When are new restrictions introduced in an area?When are new restrictions introduced in an area?
There is no set level of infection that triggers this in a particular place, but if there are more than 40 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, it is likely that extra restrictions will be considered.There is no set level of infection that triggers this in a particular place, but if there are more than 40 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, it is likely that extra restrictions will be considered.
The number of infections is not the only factor considered.The number of infections is not the only factor considered.
For example, cases in Northampton jumped to 125 per 100,000 in August. But because the rise was almost entirely down to workers at a local factory no wider restrictions were introduced.For example, cases in Northampton jumped to 125 per 100,000 in August. But because the rise was almost entirely down to workers at a local factory no wider restrictions were introduced.
What are 'areas of concern'?What are 'areas of concern'?
Since June, Public Health England has been publishing a weekly Covid-19 surveillance list.Since June, Public Health England has been publishing a weekly Covid-19 surveillance list.
This lists those local authority areas where incidence of the disease is rising, sorting them into three categories:This lists those local authority areas where incidence of the disease is rising, sorting them into three categories:
On 25 September, all 33 London boroughs were listed as areas of concern.On 25 September, all 33 London boroughs were listed as areas of concern.
How are these rules enforced?How are these rules enforced?
Local authorities in England have powers to:Local authorities in England have powers to:
Central government can:Central government can:
Can police enforce the rules?Can police enforce the rules?
Police have powers to make sure people stick to the restrictions. For example, if they believe that somebody is staying away overnight, they can tell them to return home.Police have powers to make sure people stick to the restrictions. For example, if they believe that somebody is staying away overnight, they can tell them to return home.
They can also fine people for breaking the rules, and may issue a "prohibition notice" directing somebody not to do something.They can also fine people for breaking the rules, and may issue a "prohibition notice" directing somebody not to do something.
But if a resident from a locked-down area wants to go to a bar in another part of the city, for example, there is nothing legally to stop them.But if a resident from a locked-down area wants to go to a bar in another part of the city, for example, there is nothing legally to stop them.