Health Secretary announces latest lockdown development

Residents of Liverpool city region and Warrington have been told they must no longer mix with other households indoors in the latest local lockdown development.

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced the decision earlier this morning.  

Liverpool and Knowsley currently have the highest covid infection rates in England

Residents in the region (along with Teeside) will be breaking the law if they mix with other households, at home or in pubs, bars or restaurants. Regulations prevent social mixing between people from different households in all settings EXCEPT outdoor public spaces like parks and outdoor hospitality.

Recommends not attending pro or amateur outdoor sports events as spectators. Guidance against all but essential travel e.g. you can go to work or school.

The government has not yet confirmed when these restrictions will come into place.

Hancock said:  “We recommend against all social mixing between people in different households. We will bring in regulations, as we have in the north-east, to prevent in law social mixing between different households in all settings except outdoor public spaces like parks and outdoor hospitality.”

He also promised financial support to local councils in these areas to the tune of £7m.

Liverpool and Knowsley currently have the highest covid infection rates in England. In Liverpool, there are 268 cases per 100,000 people, he said. The Liverpool City Region covers Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral as well as Liverpool City Centre. Bootle, Crosby and Southport are also subject to the new rules.

But no virus or Government measure is going to dampen Liverpool's sense of humour.