NEW lockdown-style restrictions are being imposed for households, pubs and venues in parts of the North-East at midnight tonight.

This morning, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced restrictions for Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham.

But some have questioned whether they will still be able to see friends and family, even in outdoors settings.

People in lockdown areas cannot socialise with anyone outside their household.

  • Those living in locked-down parts of the North-East will not be allowed to meet people outside of their household or support bubble.
  • The rules apply to both indoor and outdoor settings, in private homes and gardens.
  • This means people from outside locked-down areas cannot travel to the locked-down area, even if just to meet family and friends outside.
  • The 'rule-of-six' will still apply, but will only mean up to six people from the same household will be allowed to socialise outside of their home.

Travel to locked-down areas

  • Government guidance issued for Bolton, which went into a local lockdown last month in a similar way to the North-East, states that people living in Bolton can travel outside the area.
  • But they must not meet people they do not live with in their home, or garden, whether inside or outside of Bolton, unless in the support bubble.
  • It says people can still go on holiday outside of Bolton, but they should only do this with people you live with, or have formed a support bubble with.

What are the other rules?

  • In addition to this ban on meeting other households in locked-down areas, there will also be a curfew on pubs, restaurants and food and drink premises, with them being forced to close between 10pm and 5am.
  • They will also be restricted to table service only.
  • Leisure and entertainment venues, including cinemas and theatres, will also be required to close between 10pm and 5am.

Among the restrictions, residents are also advised:

  • 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.
  • A support bubble allows a single-adult household to join with one other household of any size.

It is hoped that the new measures can reverse the huge spike in positive coronavirus cases seen over recent weeks and will avoid the need for the region to be placed back into a full lockdown.