- Parts of the North East escalated to an area of
intervention
- New restrictions introduced across the region to curb
rising infection rates, agreed in collaboration with local
leaders
- Regulations and guidance to come into force on Friday
Following further discussions with local leaders, the
Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the
Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), and the Chief
Medical Officer for England have agreed to escalate parts
of the North East – namely, Northumberland, North Tyneside,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland
and County Durham – to areas of national intervention.
From Friday 18 September, regulations will ban the
following:
- residents must not socialise with other people outside
of their own households or support bubble in private homes
and gardens
- hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to
table service only
- late night restriction of operating hours will be
introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues required
to close between 10pm to 5am
Residents are also advised to adhere to the following
guidance to further reduce rates of infection:
- not to socialise with other people outside of their own
households in all public venues.
- only to use public transport for essential purposes,
such as travelling to school or work
- take holidays only within your own household or support
bubble
- avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting
events as spectators
Changes come as cases in the North East have risen to the
second highest in the country, after the North West. This
decision has been made in close collaboration with local
leaders.
Health and Social Care Secretary, said:
After seeing cases in the North East rise to a concerning
level, local authorities requested support for tighter
restrictions and we have taken swift action to accept
their recommendations.
We do not take these decisions lightly but I know the
people of the North East will work together and break the
chains of transmission.
I urge those from affected areas: please, get a test if
you are symptomatic, stay at home if you are required to
self-isolate, and think: hands, face, space. This is the
only way for us to return to a more normal way of life
and avoid further restrictions.
These changes are in addition to the nationwide 6-person
limit on social gatherings that came into force on Monday.
This rule is in place across the country and will sit
alongside additional restrictions in some local areas.
Public Health England, the JBC and NHS Test and
Trace are constantly monitoring the levels of infection and
other data on prevalence of the virus across the country.
As has always been the case, measures are kept under
constant review to reduce the spread of the virus and save
lives.
