4 years ago
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Tighter restrictions will come into force in Lancashire, Merseyside, parts of the Midlands and West Yorkshire after significant increases in Covid-19 cases, the government has said.
The new rules ban separate households from meeting each other at home or in private gardens.
Pubs and restaurants must also shut early in parts of Lancashire and Merseyside.
The measures will come into force from Tuesday.
The government said Lancashire (excluding Blackpool), Merseyside, Warrington and Halton had been escalated to "areas of intervention" after a "major increase" in cases.
Here, residents will not be allowed to socialise outside their households in homes and gardens, hospitality will be restricted to table service only and pubs and restaurants will have to shut between 22:00 and 05:00.
Residents are also advised only to use public transport for "essential purposes".
New restrictions are also being put in place in Wolverhampton, Oadby and Wigston in Leicestershire, and parts of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale.
