North East COVID restriction measures tightened

Measures will be brought into law restricting inter-household mixing in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants in Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.

New COVID-19 restrictions for our region

In close discussions with local leaders, the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE) and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed to strengthen local measures in parts of the North East.

Current guidance in several areas of the North East advises residents not to mix with people outside their household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants.

In response to high and increasing infection rates, this guidance will now be enforceable by law and subject to fines from 00:01 Wednesday 30th September. The rules will apply across the seven areas.

Covid secure schools and workplaces are not affected by this update.

Alongside this, a funding package is being agreed with councils to support the measures and tackle the rising infection rate, with further details to be confirmed.

The changes are in addition to existing regulations prohibiting household mixing in private homes and gardens, and have been agreed in response to high and increasing infection rates in these areas, with incidence rates over 100 per 100,000 in six of the seven areas last week.

Further details will be provided as soon as possible.