North East to be placed in Tier 3 restrictions from December 2nd

Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland are among the areas facing the toughest Coronavirus restrictions when the country comes out of National Lockdown next week.

It means all pubs, restaurants and indoor entertainment will have to stay closed.

The whole of the North East is under Tier 3, while London and most of the rest of the Country is in Tier 2.

Latest figures appear to show coronavirus infections are 'levelling off' across the UK.

The Office for National Statistics says in the seven days to Saturday - one in 85 people in England had Covid-19.

There were more than 31-thousand fewer cases than the week before.

What does Tier 3 mean?

This is the strictest level of restrictions and means that you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with or is in your support bubble - that includes in a private garden and most outdoor venues.

The 'Rule of Six' still applies in some other outdoor spaces like parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility.

Hospitality settings such as bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants must close but can continue to do click and collect, takeaway, delivery or drive-through services.

Accomodation such as B&B's, hotels, campsites and guest houses must shut. There are exceptions for people who use these venues as their main residence.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must shut, that includes: indoor play areas, casinos, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, amusement arcades, laser quests and escape rooms, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, snooker halls.

Indoor attractions and mostly outdoor entertainment venue must also close, like: zoos, safari parks, model villages, museums, galleries, botanical gardens, greenhouses, theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds, funfairs, film studios, heritage sites and stately homes, and landmarks with observation decks.

Leisure and sports facilities can stay open but group classes should be cancelled. Elite sporting events can continue but without spectators.

Organised outdoor sport can continue however higher-risk contact activity should not take place.

Large outdoor events, with the exception of drive-in events, should be cancelled.

Places of worship remain open but you shouldn't socialise with people from outside your household or bubble while you are there.

Weddings are back on but limited to 15 people, while funerals have a maximum capacity of 30.