North East lockdown tightened with law banning households mixing in any indoor setting

The health secretary has announced further restrictions for the North East and will mean meeting friends or family at the pub will now be illegal.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Speaking in the House of Commons, Matt Hancock announced further restrictions for the North East after the number of Covid-19 cases continued to rise ‘sharply’ despite measures implemented on Friday, September 18.

The new measures announced today (Monday, September 28) include “restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Hancock told the Commons: “Today I must announce further measures for the parts of the north-east where we introduced local action a fortnight ago.

The new changes have been announced todayThe new changes have been announced today
The new changes have been announced today

“Unfortunately the number of cases continues to rise sharply. The incident rate across the area is now over 100 cases per 100,000. We know that a large number of these infections are taking place in indoor settings outside the home.

“And so at the request of the local councils, with whom we have been working closely, we will introduce legal restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting.

“We do not take these steps lightly but we must take them and take them now because we know that swift action is more likely to bring the virus under control and the quicker we can get this virus under control, the quicker we can restore the freedoms we all enjoy in the north-east and across the country.”

So what does this mean?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has previously been against the guidance, but not against the law, to meet family and friends at an indoor public venue, such as a pub or restaurant.

More details on the new laws for the North East are still to follow with council bosses asking for clarity on the new restrictions, along with testing and support for those businesses most affected.

It is expected this will impact upon the already struggling leisure industry further.

When will the new laws be implemented?

These measures will now be enforceable by law and subject to fines from 00:01 on Wednesday, September 30. The rules will apply to seven areas: Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

The Department of Health and Social Care also said a funding package is being agreed with councils to support the measures, with further details to be confirmed.

The new changes are in addition to existing regulations prohibiting household mixing in private homes and gardens.

However, the DHSC added in a statement: “As announced last week, childcare bubbles will be able to form in areas of intervention to allow families to share caring responsibilities with another household, as long as they are consistent. This includes formal and informal childcare arrangements. People in support bubbles in these areas can also continue to meet in any setting.”

What will the fines be?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From Wednesday, the police will be able to take action against those who break the rule.

This will include asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £200 for those who take part in illegal gatherings.

Anyone aged 18 and over who takes part in such gatherings could be fined £200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days

This rises to £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400

A message from the editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Shields Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.