Around two million people in the north-east of England are facing even tougher restrictions following a sharp rise in the number of new cases of coronavirus. The health secretary Matt Hancock announced that mixing between households in any indoor setting will be illegal from Wednesday. Currently people are advised to avoid this. The new measures mean it would be unlawful for people to meet in a pub or restaurant — with anyone outside their household. The region has already been under restrictions for the past 10 days. The rules cover a wide area which includes Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and County Durham. Greater Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham has called for an “urgent review” of the 10pm closing time for restaurants and pubs. He said the policy had led to people gathering in homes instead and he warned that supermarkets were packed with people buying drink after bars had closed. Downing Street says the policy in England will be kept under review. Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Fiona Trott in Newcastle, health editor Hugh Pym and medical editor Fergus Walsh.
2 million people in north-east England face tougher coronavirus rules as cases surge – BBC News
