Summary

  • Lancashire to move to highest alert level

  • The county becomes the second part of England, after the Liverpool City Region, to go into tier three

  • It comes amid warnings that divisions between the government and local leaders in England are "very dangerous" and harming the ability to control the disease

  • The "very high" alert level measures include pub closures and bans on household mixing indoors, in private gardens and most outdoor venues

  • Gyms in Lancashire allowed to remain open, contrary to Liverpool City Region

Live Reporting

  1. Merseyside leaders demand 'immediate clarification' over gym closure 'shambles'

    Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and Wirral Council leader Jan Williamson have reacted angrily to the news that gyms in Lancashire can apparently stay open, while they were forced to close in the Liverpool City Region:

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  2. Gyms and leisure centres to stay open

    Geoff Driver

    In a twist, Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver has said said gyms and leisure centres would remain open in the county for now.

    He said the council had convinced the government it had sufficient measures in place to monitor their performance.

    This is likely to raise eyebrows in the Liverpool City Region, where gyms have closed.

  3. New rules to begin from midnight

    The new restrictions will come into force from 00:01 BST on Saturday.

    Empty glasses on bar in pubReuters

    Here's some more detail on precisely what it will mean:

    • People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
    • People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue
    • All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving "substantial meals"
    • People should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey
    • Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High Alert area

    In addition, following discussions with local leaders it was agreed that from 00:01 BST on Monday:

    • The adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close
    • Car boot sales would not be permitted

  4. 'Unrelenting' rise in Lancashire coronavirus cases - Matt Hancock

    Matt HancockReuters

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said:

    An unrelenting rise in cases in Lancashire means we must act now, and we have worked intensively with local leaders to agree on additional restrictions.

    Without them, we risk the health of your loved ones, your most vulnerable, and your local NHS services. Now is the time to play your part, and we will make sure you are supported.

    I know how heavy these additional challenges will weigh on everyday life for the people of Lancashire – but they are critical in bringing this virus under control.

  5. Lancashire 'promised £42m support'

    The move to switch to Tier 3 has come following long talks between local leaders and Whitehall.

    BBC political reporter Mike Stevens said the deal involved a support package worth £42m, the area having initially been promised £12m.

    Blackburn, LancashireReuters

    He said Lancashire had also been promised more support for local test and trace systems, and a specific ministerial team to deal with the outbreak in the county.

    Around 1.5 million people will be affected by the new rules, which includes Blackpool, Blackburn, Preston and Lancaster

  6. What precisely are the new three-tier lockdown rules?

    Here is a handy simplified breakdown of the essential differences.

    You can read more here

    Tier breakdown

  7. Welcome to our live coverage

    Join us for live reaction as Lancashire prepares to adopt the highest level of coronavirus restrictions in England.

    It becomes the second area to face tier three restrictions after the Liverpool City Region.

    The "very high" alert level measures include pub closures and bans on household mixing indoors, in private gardens and most outdoor venues.