North West to enter new phase of lockdown on Tuesday

New restrictions are being introduced in Liverpool and other areas to control the spread of COVID-19.

The measures, for Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral, Halton, St Helens and Lancashire will be introduced from Tuesday 22 September and will mean:

• Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens

• Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only

• Late night restriction of operating hours will be introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues required to close between 10pm to 5am

Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:

• Not to socialise with other people outside of their own households in all public venues

• Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work

• Take holidays only within your own household or support bubble

• Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators

These changes are in addition to the nationwide 6-person limit on social gatherings that came into force last Monday.

People are being asked to start following the new measures immediately and have a safe and careful weekend.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “We have warned for several weeks now that tougher restrictions would be on the way unless we started to see the number of infections coming under control.

“Any further measures, such as closing venues, would be measures that the city’s economy simply could not afford and would be a devastating blow for individuals and livelihoods.

“It is really important that we all take individual and collective responsibility and follow the advice and guidance being given by medical experts in order to get us through this pandemic together.”

Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton, said: “These are a series of enhanced public health measures designed to protect our community and if everybody follows them it hopefully will help us avoid the need for further restrictions.

“The most effective thing we can all do is stay two metres away from other people. Outdoors is safer than indoors. Wear a face covering in all shops and businesses and on public transport and properly self-isolate if you have symptoms, and get tested.

“Please only use businesses that are COVID-secure and which look after your health by taking your details for test and trace, enforce social distancing and have good hygiene measures in place.

“We know these measures will be hard, but I cannot stress enough that we are now entering a critical period for the city, with students returning and colder weather on the way which will mean an increase in time spent indoors which is where the virus can thrive, so we all have a responsibility to take actions to minimise the risk of it spreading further.”

Warrington’s Director of Public Health, Thara Raj, said: “These restrictions, although disappointing for our borough, are a proportionate and necessary response in helping to drive down the number of coronavirus cases.

“As well as these additional measures, please remember the importance of washing your hands regularly, maintaining social distance, wearing a cloth face covering where necessary and getting a test if you have symptoms.

“We would urge everyone to help us by following the restrictions, so we can reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading now. The sooner our infection rates come down, the sooner we can have restrictions lifted. We all have a very important part to play in these efforts.”