Coronavirus: Darlington, Stockton and Redcar face tougher measures

Pubs in north-east England must still close by 22:00

Darlington, Stockton and Redcar will all face greater Covid-19 restrictions, it has been announced.

Nine council areas in the north east of England were banned from households mixing indoors, and the three extra areas will join them from Wednesday.

People will not be allowed to meet inside another home, pub or restaurant, but meeting outdoors is permitted.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "If we do not follow these rules our region will face even stricter restrictions."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Mary Lanigan said she was "disappointed" by the move.

"We did not request the additional measures and we are concerned about the effect they will have on people's mental wellbeing and the risk to jobs and prosperity in our borough," she said.

Speaking on behalf of the three councils which cover about 340,000 residents, she added: "The restrictions pose a real threat to our economy and it is vital that the government approves our funding requests immediately; they will allow us to provide timely local support to local people to offset some of the effects of the restrictions."

There are new signs warning people to maintain social distancing

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement in the Commons, saying: "This is not how we want to live our lives but this is the narrow path we have to tread between the social and economic trauma of a full lockdown and the massive human, and indeed, economic cost of an uncontained epidemic.

"Engagement with other leaders in the North West, the North East and Yorkshire and Humber is continuing.

"I know how difficult this is. They, like us, like everyone in this House, are grappling with very real dilemmas, but we cannot let the NHS fall over when lives are at stake."

Currently Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, County Durham, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool council areas are under more severe restrictions.

These will be deemed to be "high" under the new tiered system. Redcar, Darlington and Stockton council areas will now be included in that category.

BBC analysis of government figures shows Stockton at 300 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 9 October, Redcar at 201 cases, and Darlington at 193.

Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said it was "clear the new restrictions will have an impact on people's lives and businesses" and the council has asked for government funding to support local businesses.

She said: "We don't know how long these measures will last, but the more we all work together and do our bit, the better our chances will be of a swift improvement and removal of the measures."

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, Labour, said the government had "completely and utterly failed the families and businesses of the North East", but added: "It is vital that we all do our part and stick by these new rules to bring the virus back under control."

The restrictions affect more than two million people

Analysis by political editor Richard Moss

One change announced will see household mixing restrictions relaxed in the North East.

From Wednesday people in Tier 2 or High areas can meet in gardens as long as they stick to the rule of six.

Previously meeting another household in their garden in much of the North East was illegal.

I understand North East councils asked for that change as they believe people have been going into relatives' homes rather than meeting in the safer environment of gardens, because it's harder to be seen meeting if you go inside, and therefore easier to avoid prosecution.

Anyone found breaching the rules can be fined £200 (£100 if paid within 14 days), which doubles with every extra offence up to £6,400.

Organisers of illegal gatherings in England can be fined £10,000.

Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes welcomed the lack of further measures in his area, saying: "Mass closures of hospitality venues would be counter-productive at this stage, as the vast majority of operators are running safe venues with appropriate precautions in place.

"But the threat of further closures can't be ruled out if Covid numbers don't start to come down."

Earlier on Monday, the NHS Nightingale hospital in Sunderland was asked to get ready to take patients.

• LOCKDOWN LOOK-UP: The rules in your area

• SOCIAL DISTANCING: How have rules on meeting friends changed?

• SUPPORT BUBBLES: What are they and who can be in yours?

• FACE MASKS: When do I need to wear one?

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