Current guidance in several areas of the North East
advises residents not to mix with people outside their
household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs
and restaurants.
In response to high and increasing infection rates,
this guidance will now be enforceable by law and
subject to fines from 00:01 Wednesday 30 September. The
rules will apply to 7 areas:
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Newcastle
- North Tyneside
- South Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Sunderland
COVID-secure schools and workplaces are not affected by
this update.
Alongside this, a funding package is being agreed with
councils to support the measures and tackle the rising
infection rate, with further details to be confirmed.
The changes are in addition to existing regulations
prohibiting household mixing in private homes and
gardens, and have been agreed in response to high and
increasing infection rates in these areas, with
incidence rates over 100 per 100,000 in 6 of the 7
areas last week.
PHE, the
JBC and
NHS Test
and Trace constantly monitor the levels of infection
and other data on prevalence of the virus across the
country.
Discussions are continuing with local leaders in
Merseyside to establish whether additional measures may
be necessary there and, as has always been the case,
all measures are kept under constant review.
As announced last
week, childcare bubbles will be able to form in
areas of intervention to allow families to share caring
responsibilities with another household, as long as
they are consistent. This includes formal and informal
childcare arrangements. People in support bubbles in
these areas can also continue to meet in any setting.
