Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that there is a “concerning rise” in coronavirus cases in the northeast of England.
Hancock told MPs that the “battle against coronavirus is not over,” and a “vital line of defence” has been introducing localised restrictions.
He told MPs as winter is coming “we must prepare and bolster our defences” and tighter restrictions will be introduced from Friday.
Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham are affected by the new imposed measures.
The Health Secretary said this will include no mixing between households and a 10pm curfew for pubs, hospitality and entertainment venues.
He added that “the data says we must act now.”
He also announced that the NHS will be provided with a further £2.7bn to help during the winter months.
Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said, “Unless we get on with this now, we are facing a bigger problem down the line which could end up in a full lockdown.
“It is better to try to introduce measures which will prevent that, even though that may mean some additional restrictions over the next few weeks.
“We are working with the government on a plan for what those could mean and how we can get those measures in place over the next few weeks to protect our communities and having to go into another prolonged, damaging lockdown.”
Health Minister Nadine Dorries blames a shortage on coronavirus testing which has caused the new restrictions.
Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, told Sky News, “It has added to the farcical way the government has handled this. The issue in the north east needs to be addressed as numbers are rising but testing in the north east is a shambles.”
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