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Coronavirus: North-east England local lockdown begins Coronavirus: North-east England local lockdown begins
(32 minutes later)
New restrictions to halt a rise in coronavirus cases have come into force in north-east England, affecting almost two million people.New restrictions to halt a rise in coronavirus cases have come into force in north-east England, affecting almost two million people.
The temporary measures, which started at midnight, are to tackle "concerning rates of infection" in the region.The temporary measures, which started at midnight, are to tackle "concerning rates of infection" in the region.
The rules affect Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and the County Durham council area.The rules affect Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and the County Durham council area.
Pubs and restaurants must shut early and household-mixing has been limited.Pubs and restaurants must shut early and household-mixing has been limited.
Responding to the rise in infections, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said: "The evidence we've found from local testing is that it's spreading in three main areas - in pubs, in people's homes and in grassroots sports."Responding to the rise in infections, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said: "The evidence we've found from local testing is that it's spreading in three main areas - in pubs, in people's homes and in grassroots sports."
Meanwhile, there are fears Merseyside and parts of Lancashire could be next in line to face local lockdown measures.Meanwhile, there are fears Merseyside and parts of Lancashire could be next in line to face local lockdown measures.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told the Liverpool Echo "we fully expect" additional measures as infection rates in the city have risen above 100 per 100,000 of population.Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told the Liverpool Echo "we fully expect" additional measures as infection rates in the city have risen above 100 per 100,000 of population.
An announcement on a possible lockdown in parts of north-west England is expected from the government later on Friday.An announcement on a possible lockdown in parts of north-west England is expected from the government later on Friday.
The new measures for north-east England include:The new measures for north-east England include:
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "The data says that we must act now."Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "The data says that we must act now."
He said Sunderland currently had an infection rate of 103 cases per 100,000 people. In South Tyneside and Gateshead the latest published rates were 93.4 and 83.6 respectively.He said Sunderland currently had an infection rate of 103 cases per 100,000 people. In South Tyneside and Gateshead the latest published rates were 93.4 and 83.6 respectively.
Concern has been raised about increased waiting times for coronavirus test results for people using community testing centres.Concern has been raised about increased waiting times for coronavirus test results for people using community testing centres.
In Sunderland, drivers queued outside a Covid test centre, only to later find out it was empty.In Sunderland, drivers queued outside a Covid test centre, only to later find out it was empty.
There remains confusion over some of the measures.There remains confusion over some of the measures.
Discussions between the council and the government were still continuing over whether to exclude grandparents helping with childcare from the restrictions.Discussions between the council and the government were still continuing over whether to exclude grandparents helping with childcare from the restrictions.
Mr Forbes tweeted that Newcastle City Council had "specifically" asked for this to be allowed and was "hoping" for government confirmation.Mr Forbes tweeted that Newcastle City Council had "specifically" asked for this to be allowed and was "hoping" for government confirmation.
Council leaders have also requested additional funding for policing, as well as extra testing facilities.Council leaders have also requested additional funding for policing, as well as extra testing facilities.
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth echoed the need for more testing capacity to be available in areas where there were tightened restrictions.Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth echoed the need for more testing capacity to be available in areas where there were tightened restrictions.
He said it was urgent the government "fixes testing, fixes tracing" or we face a "very bleak winter indeed".He said it was urgent the government "fixes testing, fixes tracing" or we face a "very bleak winter indeed".
County Durham's director of public health Amanda Healy said: "If we do want to be able to continue to go to work, to schools, to keep in contact with relatives but stop an increase in the cases we have seen, we are really urging people to adhere to the guidance coming out today."County Durham's director of public health Amanda Healy said: "If we do want to be able to continue to go to work, to schools, to keep in contact with relatives but stop an increase in the cases we have seen, we are really urging people to adhere to the guidance coming out today."
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said: "Nobody welcomes these things but I would think the vast majority of people recognise these are extremely difficult times and we all need to act and pull together."Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said: "Nobody welcomes these things but I would think the vast majority of people recognise these are extremely difficult times and we all need to act and pull together."
Small businesses broadly welcomed the lockdown but called for more support to adapt to the new measures.Small businesses broadly welcomed the lockdown but called for more support to adapt to the new measures.
Simon Hanson, North East development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was "absolutely critical" that small and micro businesses were given grant support quickly to help them adapt and provide cashflow.Simon Hanson, North East development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, said it was "absolutely critical" that small and micro businesses were given grant support quickly to help them adapt and provide cashflow.
It is estimated than 10 million people in the UK currently face additional coronavirus restrictions, with local lockdowns covering parts of Scotland, south Wales, the north west and north east of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
Do you live in one of the areas where restrictions are being reintroduced? How will you be affected? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you live in one of the areas where restrictions are being reintroduced? How will you be affected? Share your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: