The Mayor of Middlesbrough leads a backlash against the lockdown while ministers extend the regime

The mayor-elect of Middlesbrough promised today to defy new lockdown measures imposed on the city and accused ministers of ignorance after introducing tough new measures on their people

The independent Andy Preston struck after Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that the city, along with Liverpool, Hartlepool and Warrington, would face the same curbs as the northeast.

On a video message, Mr Preston said the measures became a father when he and other local politicians advocated them and opposed the measures described in the Commons, which is considered the first for a local politician.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool councils had called for a ban on mixing households in their own homes. But Mr Hancock went further and announced that it was illegal for households in these districts to mingle in a public setting such as a pub.

"I have to tell you that this measure was put in place because of factual inaccuracies and a monstrous and frightening lack of communication and ignorance," he said in a video posted on Twitter.

& # 39; I do not accept the statement at all. I do not accept these measures. We need to talk to the government, they need to understand our local knowledge, expertise and ability to get things done and maintain jobs and wellbeing.

& # 39; We are really disappointed. From today's perspective, we are defying the government and are not accepting these measures.

"We need to get Covid under control and work with people to find a way to keep jobs and mental health."

Confirmation comes despite Mr Hancock's welcoming "early" signs that the nationwide pub curfew after 6am and 10pm is already bringing cases under control – and downgrading Bolton's swinging measures.

The results of the largest Covid-19 study in England showed that the R-rate fell from 1.7 to around 1.1 in the last month.

However, the director of the study at Imperial College London and Ipsos Mori said the interim results of 80,000 participants had heightened the need for protective measures to wipe out the virus.

Mr Hancock told Commons, "The study published today shows us the hope that we can crack this."

However, he again defied calls to lift the 10 p.m. pubs curfew, alleging it does more harm than good. Mr Hancock's positive message about the results of the study contrasted sharply with the grim message from Boris Johnson, Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance at a press conference on Downing Street last night.

The prime minister and his senior medical and scientific advisers warned that the outbreak was "going in the wrong direction" – although they were known to know beforehand the latest Imperial findings.

In the meantime, there are signs that ministers are trying to simplify the rules after even the prime minister got mixed up this week. A traffic light system could be introduced to show what restrictions exist for different regions with three levels of intensity.

There is hope that could help liberate some parts of the south that have dramatically lower infection rates than the north.

Liverpool had braced itself for further action to curb the recent surge in infections, which had the highest rolling 7-day rate of new cases at 258 per 100,000, while Knowsley ranks second at close to 262.

In other developments today:

• The UK recorded 7,108 more coronavirus cases and an additional 71 deaths yesterday – including a three-month high of seven in Scotland;
• There are signs that the government is considering simplifying the barrier edges by introducing a traffic light system for different areas with three levels of different intensity.
• The Minister of Health pushed back calls for a rethink on the 10 p.m. pub curfew in England, despite complaining that encouraging house parties and drinking on the street had made the situation worse.
• Mr Hancock faces a backlash after it is revealed the government hasn't conducted its own research into whether vitamin D could help people fight off coronaviruses.
• Labor and Pensions Minister Therese Coffey has admitted that her department plans to employ four million unemployed people in the coming months – although she said she hoped the numbers would not soar;
• A Tory backlash is growing among the Prime Minister's advisors, including Dominic Cummings, after a chaotic fortnight.
• The ministers are again examining whether vitamin D can be useful in the fight against the coronavirus.
• Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane called for optimism about the country's prospects, warning that a "chicken lick" stance could hurt the recovery.
• Ministers fear that the public will show increasing signs of "lockdown fatigue" as the pandemic drags on and rules become more complicated.

In the House of Commons, Mr Hancock was repeatedly challenged about the blanket 10 p.m. curfew in pubs and restaurants in England.

There have been complaints that people caused problems by piling themselves out of the venues and going to the grocery store to drink more alcohol or throwing house parties instead.

But Mr Hancock said, "Of course we will be constantly reviewing this and we are constantly reviewing how we can improve these guidelines, but I think we need to examine both sides of the evidence to get this right."

He added, “We know that prolonged contact, especially in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, is a driver of infection and pubs and bars are an obvious risk.

"So I heard what he said about the 10pm rule, but my concern relates to everyone leaving the pub at the same time."

Previously, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson called for the circuit breaker to be locked for two weeks to prevent the virus from spreading.

But his colleague, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham, reiterated his rejection of the proposal he insisted on, and which was never discussed as an option, when speaking to Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.

Middlesbrough's mayor-elect said he was ready to defy the government and reject new coronavirus measures imposed on the city in what was seen as a first for a figure of authority.

Independent Andy Preston was furious with the new rules, which go further than he and his colleagues in Hartlepool advocated earlier in the week.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool councils had called for a ban on mixing households in their own homes.

But Health Secretary Matt Hancock went further and announced that it was illegal for households in these counties to mingle in a public setting such as a pub – as was the case elsewhere in the northeast.

In a video statement, Mr Preston said, “I have to tell you that I think this measure was put in place because of factual inaccuracies and a monstrous and frightening lack of communication and ignorance.

& # 39; I do not accept the statement at all.

& # 39; I do not accept these measures.

“We need to talk to the government, they need to understand our local knowledge, our expertise and our ability to get things done and maintain jobs and wellbeing.

& # 39; We are really disappointed.

“From today's perspective, we are defying the government and are not accepting these measures.

"We need to get Covid under control and work with people to find a way to keep jobs and mental health."

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, was against additional measures and had previously spoken in the House of Commons about the need for a clear exit strategy.

In response to the new rules, he said: “I would like to personally thank Mr Hancock for ensuring that the measures imposed on Middlesbrough include a clear, evidence-based exit strategy.

“At this point, I was clearly against any further local restrictions, especially since the latest national restrictions didn't even have a week to go to bed.

“And while I respectfully disagree with the decision of Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston to request a local lockdown in Middlesbrough, I doubtless disagree that he acted in good faith to bring this request to the government.

"So now we are where we are. Our focus must shift to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society."

Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough Labor MP, said the new measures were "inevitable".

He said: "I've already said no one welcomes any further restrictions, but we are sitting next to seven neighboring northeastern local authorities on Teesside, where stricter restrictions have been imposed for some time over worryingly high levels of Covid-19."

“It's only 13 miles from Middlesbrough to Sedgefield, County Durham, and the virus is clearly circulating in worrying amounts throughout the Northeast, and the virus respects the local authority boundaries between County Durham and the local authority of Tees Valley not areas. & # 39;

At last night's press conference, the Prime Minister released pressure from many Tories to change strategy and focus on protecting jobs, saying he would not "throw the sponge in".

There were growing concerns – also in the cabinet – about following the extremely cautious approach of Prof. Whitty and Sir Patrick. A senior minister told MailOnline that the government is now "speaking more broadly to people of different views".

While the infection rate appears to be falling, the study commissioned by the Ministry of Health found that of the volunteers tested between September 18-26, one in 200 people had coronavirus.

The virus was also shown to be spreading more rapidly among young people while exposing the north-south divide, pointing to the north-west as the epicenter of the UK outbreak.

Professor Paul Elliott, Director of the School of Public Health Program at Imperial, said, “While our latest findings show some early evidence that the growth of new cases has slowed, suggesting that efforts to control the infection are working, is the prevalence of The infection is the highest we have recorded so far.

"This reinforces the need for protective measures to limit the spread of the disease and public compliance with these regulations. This will be critical to minimizing other significant diseases and deaths from Covid-19."

When asked if the Prime Minister and his advisors saw this study yesterday before their run-down TV briefing, Professor Elliot said "yes".

"We report to the government weekly and they know these statistics from our study," he said this morning. "Of course there are a number of statistics that the government takes into account and we are just one area."

However, he disagreed that the tone of the briefing should have been more optimistic and said, “I thought the news yesterday was very good. We really must have quite a few viruses.

“One in 200 people on average today on the road would test (positive) positive for the virus. It doesn't depend on the test system (and) it's not just symptomatic people.

“I think people started hearing the message in early September. The rate of increase in the virus at the beginning of September was alarming … now we have high rates, we really need to do something about it and that was the message yesterday. The rate of increase may have slowed down, and that's the first step. & # 39;

Professor Steven Riley agreed, adding, “This (study) is completely in line with yesterday's messaging – 100 percent the messaging. All public health measures currently in place are vital.

“If we were to report on it, we would comment on the prevalence very much. It (the messaging) has to go negative for us to avoid a significant number of hospitalizations and deaths. & # 39;

Politicians in the region met with Mr Hancock last night. The final decision was made after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson this morning.

Mr Anderson said measures to restrict travel in some areas of Wales had not been proposed, but he believed the government was considering measures to ensure restaurants only accept bookings.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told BBC Breakfast: “I know that, as I understand, there is some discussion about the situation in Liverpool but no decisions have been taken yet.

"I am not really able to say what they can or cannot do as I think there is a dialogue going on between health officials and the local council."

Halton MP Derek Twigg said he and other local MPs "requested" a meeting with the health minister.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Mr Twigg said, “I have raised several concerns and issues and asked for evidence and data on the impact of Covid-19 on our area.

"I have been assured that a decision has not yet been made on the other local restrictions we may face, but it is likely that it will be decided tomorrow."

Local leaders have urged the government to provide financial assistance in introducing stricter restrictions.

In a joint statement, Metropolitan Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram and those in charge of the Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St. Helens, Halton and Knowsley authorities have urged the government to work with them, provide financial support and increase testing capacity .

They said: “During the pandemic, we have always put the health of our residents first and will continue to do everything we can to stop the spread of the coronavirus and protect as many people as possible.

"At the same time, however, we need to be aware that further restrictions will give our economy a hammer blow."

Four Welsh local authorities – Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham – will be locked down at 6pm tonight and people will be banned from meeting anyone outside their household.

People are also prohibited from entering or leaving the county they live in without proper excuse, e.g. B. because of traveling to work or education.

In North Wales, the new local lockdown will affect around 504,000 people, bringing the number of people locked in the country to more than 2.3 million.

This means 16 areas of the country are subject to additional restrictions, with most of the other areas in South Wales which are off-limits.

This morning, North Wales Tourism's Jim Jones said he had seen no evidence that visitors were responsible for the spread and warned that the lockdown would destroy local businesses.

"Business is extreme and understandably frustrated, it's a dark day again," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"They've invested so much time and taken extraordinary measures to be Covid compliant and keep everyone safe. Then suddenly they have to cancel bookings and tell visitors to go home."

The northeast was put new restrictions yesterday morning and people were banned from meeting anyone inside unless they are part of their covid bubble. However, this stood on the verge of a complete lockdown that would close pubs and restaurants.

It comes as Boris Johnson was backed by new numbers showing that the Covid infection rate has slowed since restrictions were tightened.

The results of the largest Covid-19 study in England showed that the R-rate fell from 1.7 to around 1.1 this month.

The director of the study at Imperial College London and Ipsos Mori said the interim results of 80,000 participants "reinforced the need for protective measures" to wipe out the virus.

That restrictions appear to help contain the spread of Covid-19 will help the Prime Minister impose curbs to smooth out the second wave.

The trio presented maps that made the divide between north and south coronaviruses clear. Official data shows that the average number of positive tests per day in North West England is at least twice that of any other region and that Scotland's cases are 14 times higher than in early August, beating the outbreak in England.

The northwest is currently diagnosed with an average of 1,595 cases of Covid-19 each day, compared to just 150 in the southwest, while Yorkshire, Humber and the northeast have the second highest infection rates. All 10 areas with the worst per capita ratios are in the north, while eight out of ten areas with the lowest are in the south. Professor Whitty said there was a "strong concentration" of coronavirus towards the top of England.

In an appeal to the public, the Prime Minister said: "If we work together now, we will give ourselves the best possible chance to avoid this result and avoid further action."

“I know some people will think we should give up and let the virus run its course, despite the enormous loss of life that could possibly result. I have to say that I deeply disagree. I don't think the British people want that. I don't think they want to throw the sponge in. They want to fight and defeat this virus and we will. & # 39;

“Even as we fight Covid, it's important that people get the treatment they need for other diseases. But I have to be clear if the NHS were overwhelmed by Covid then no one could get such care. & # 39;

Sir Patrick highlighted the surge in infections and defended his recent comments warning that there could be 50,000 coronavirus cases a day in the UK by mid-October. He said grimly, "Things are definitely going in the wrong direction."

Professor Whitty hit back critics, saying they accused him of being "too optimistic and too pessimistic about numbers". But he said the government failed to realize in March how quickly the virus was spreading and the bug could not be repeated. In somber news he said: "We have a long winter ahead of us."

Die von Professor Whitty in der Fernsehbesprechung vorgelegten Daten zeigten eine deutliche Nord-Süd-Kluft zwischen den Coronavirus-Infektionen in ganz England.

Die wissenschaftlichen Berater gaben zu, dass die obere Hälfte des Landes deutlich stärker betroffen ist als die untere, bestanden jedoch darauf, dass das Problem nicht landesweit sei.

Eine Heatmap der Infektionsraten im ganzen Land zeigte, dass fast der gesamte Südwesten, Südosten, die East Midlands und der Osten Englands in der hellstmöglichen Farbe schattiert waren, was bedeutet, dass die Anzahl der Fälle unter dem Durchschnitt für England liegt.

Die durchschnittliche Infektionsrate für das gesamte Land betrug 35,7 Fälle pro 100.000, wie beim letzten offiziellen Update von Public Health England am vergangenen Freitag.

Die Farbcodierung zeigte, dass das Problem im Nordwesten um Liverpool und Manchester sowie im äußersten Nordosten in Richtung Newcastle am schlimmsten ist.

Ein Großteil dieser beiden Regionen und der West Midlands – und in geringerem Maße London und Cornwall – wurden in einer dunkleren Farbe dargestellt, was darauf hinweist, dass die Fallraten nahe oder über dem Durchschnitt liegen.

Professor Whitty sagte: „Zu diesem Zeitpunkt gibt es eine sehr starke Konzentration in bestimmten Gebieten – insbesondere im Nordwesten, im Nordosten und in Teilen der Midlands…

„In ganz England ist ein allgemeiner Anstieg (der Infektionsrate) zu verzeichnen, und dies gilt auch für Schottland, Wales und Nordirland. In bestimmten Gebieten ist jedoch ein sehr rascher Anstieg zu verzeichnen. wieder, insbesondere im Nordosten, Nordwesten und in den Gebieten der Midlands (aber) nicht ausschließlich. & # 39;

Die Anzahl der vom Gesundheitsministerium gemeldeten positiven Tests spiegelt die Angaben auf der Karte wider. Der Nordwesten meldet deutlich mehr Fälle als jede andere Region.

In der Woche bis zum 23. September – den neuesten verfügbaren Daten – wurden in der Krisenregion durchschnittlich 1.595 Fälle pro Tag diagnostiziert.

Dies war mehr als das Doppelte des Tagesdurchschnitts von 663 in Yorkshire und Humber, dreimal so hoch wie der von 564 in den West Midlands und 551 im Nordosten.

Es bläst die südlicheren Regionen außer London (471 pro Tag) aus dem Wasser.

In den East Midlands gab es im gleichen Zeitraum von sieben Tagen 274 Fälle pro Tag, 227 im Südosten, 185 im Osten Englands und nur 150 im Südwesten.

Dies bedeutet, dass die drohende Gefahr einer nationalen Sperrung, auf die Herr Johnson gestern sagte, er wolle nicht zurückgreifen, aber wenn er müsste, Millionen von Menschen dem Risiko aussetzen, aufgrund der Handlungen von Hunderten von Menschen strengen Beschränkungen ausgesetzt zu werden von Meilen entfernt.

Die Abgeordneten haben bereits vor einer "breiten Bürstentaktik" gewarnt, bei der Menschen in weniger betroffenen Gebieten zu Unrecht bestraft werden.

Aber Sir Patrick Vallance bestand darauf: „Es wäre falsch, daraus zu schließen, dass dies ein Problem ist, das nur in bestimmten Bereichen auftritt.

"In bestimmten Gebieten ist es schlimmer, aber es gibt überall Anzeichen für eine Ausbreitung, und wir müssen uns dessen bewusst sein, und jeder muss im ganzen Land Vorsichtsmaßnahmen treffen."

The map of Britain's coronavirus rules: As confusion reigns, where can you meet friends for a pint inside or outside? And will the lockdown police ask you for a 'reasonable excuse'?

Britain's complex coronavirus rules have confused even the Prime Minister as numerous different restrictions are put in place across the country to try and keep the number of coronavirus cases down.

Aside from the standard rules in England, eight different regions have additional restrictions or rules that differ from those in place in England.

In total around 16.6m people in the UK are subject to local lockdowns, one quarter of the population.

Among the subtle differences are those between different local lockdown areas in England. For example in the North East, residents are legally banned from meeting people from outside their households inside pubs – but are free to do so outdoors.

In Bolton pubs and restaurants have been closed completely and can do takeout only while funerals and weddings are limited to six people. In the North East the weddings and funeral limit remains 15.

The devolved regions also have different rules. The rule of six applies to children in England, but not to under 12s in Scotland and under-11s in Wales.

In Scotland the rule of six is limited to people from two households in Scotland. Residents are not allowed to host guests in their own homes, if the guests are from outside their household or support bubble.

In Wales the rule of six is limited to people of up to four households indoors. Outdoors, people can gather in groups of up to 30 but should maintain social distancing from people from other households.

In Welsh local lockdown areas people can meet in their own gardens in groups of up to 30, but in English local lockdown areas the rules apply to gardens as a well as inside homes. Welsh people are also banned from leaving local lockdown areas unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'.

Welsh wedding ceremonies do not have a limit on the number of attendees, but they must wear masks including the bride and groom. Welsh wedding receptions are limited to 30 people.

These are the rules:

England:

Social gatherings

No more than six people are permitted to gather indoors or outdoors – with a few exceptions, which include going to school, work, or 'exceptional life events'.

Children are not exempt from the rules, unlike in Wales and Scotland

Breaking these new restrictions mean fines of £200 (£100 if paid within 14 days), doubling for each incident up to £3,200.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs and restaurants across England must close at 10pm. The rule of six still applies but applies to each group inside – not the venue as a whole.

Venues are now 'legally required' to take and keep the contact details of a member from every group of visitors for 21 days. This is so they can pass them on to NHS Test and Trace 'without delay' if needed.

The hospitality venue could face a fine if it fails to stick to the Covid security standards and the Government pledged to back local authorities to make 'further and faster use of their powers' against venues who break the rules.

Covid-19 secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to six must not mix or form larger groups.

travel

The rule of six limit does not apply to strangers gathering in the same space, such as a train or bus.

Government guidelines say: 'You can help control coronavirus and travel safely by walking and cycling, if you can. However, where this is not possible, you can use public transport or drive.

'If you do use public transport, you must wear a face covering and you should follow the safer travel guidance for passengers.'

Schulen

Face masks not required in schools outside local lockdown areas. Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas where local lockdowns are in place.

Arbeit

The six person limit does not apply to gatherings for work. Offices should take steps to ensure social distancing is maintained.

The government initially urged workers to return to the office, but has since U-turned and called for anyone who can work from home to do so to try to drive down the number of cases.

Sports

You can continue to take part in organised sporting or licensed physical activity in groups of more than 6 outdoors and up to 6 people indoors (for over 18s).

Organised dance and exercise classes can take place in groups of more than six, but you must not mix with more than five other participants.

Masken

Face coverings have to be worn on public transport, in shops and supermarkets. They are also needed in other indoor venues such as museums, cinemas, galleries and places of worship.

The government also advised people to where them wherever they cannot keep to social distancing guidelines.

Hospitality and retail workers now have to wear face coverings at work, as well as passengers in taxis.

Weddings and Funerals

Weddings are limited to 15 people and funerals are limited to 30 people. Staff working at these events are not included.

North East and Liverpool:

Seven local authorities in the North East and Liverpool are subject to some of the strictest restrictions, which came into force on Wednesday. The affected areas are:

• Durham
• Gateshead
• Newcastle
• Northumberland
• North Tyneside
• South Tyneside
• Sunderland
• Liverpool
• Warrington
• Hartlepool
• Middlesborough

How are the rules different to the rest of England?

Social gatherings

Residents are legally banned from meeting friends who are not in their household or support bubble indoors. This includes in their homes or gardens, pubs and restaurants. But it does not include anywhere outdoors including pub beer gardens.

The police will be able to take action against those who break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £200 for those who participate in illegal gatherings.

While the rules do not ban people from meeting under the rule of six outside, the government advice states residents should not 'socialise with people you do not live with'. It also advises against visiting care home residents.

Pubs and Restaurants

Hospitality venues also have to close at 10pm like the rest of the country. It is against the law to sit in a pub with someone you do not live with or is in your bubble.

travel

Public transport is restricted to 'essential trips', be it work or school or looking after an elderly relative. Going outside the area is also restricted to 'essential' reasons.

But this is not law, this is just government advice so it is left to people to judge for themselves what is essential.

Schulen

Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas.

Arbeit

Same as the rest of England

Masken

Same as the rest of England

Sports

Sports can be played outdoors with more than six people, but indoors they are limited to six people out of only one 'one household and support bubble', the government say.

Organised dance and exercise classes can take place in groups of more than 6 outdoors, where a risk assessment has been carried out, but you must not mix with more than five other participants.

Weddings and Funerals

Same as the rest of the country.

Bolton*

Bolton was put under tighter lockdown measures on September 5 as the stubborn infection rate remained high. At one point the rate increased to 99 cases per 100,000 people per week, which was the highest in England.

Social gatherings

People are not allowed to host people from outside their own household or support bubble in their houses or garden.

Meeting outside is allowed, but pubs and restaurants are closed.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs in Bolton are shut to stem a flare-up in infections. They can only serve takeaway, and are obliged to close completely between 10pm and 5am.

travel

People can travel in and out of Bolton for work, education reason or other excuses deemed 'essential'.

Schulen

Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas.

Arbeit

Same as rest of England.

Masken

Same as rest of England.

Sports

You can continue to take part in organised sporting or licensed physical activity in groups of more than 6 outdoors and up to 6 people indoors (for over 18s).

Weddings and Funerals

In Bolton, a maximum of 6 people should to attend these events. The government says this should be limited to close family of the people getting married or the person who has died, or people who live(d) or formed a support bubble with them. A close friend can attend a funeral only if there are no household members or immediate families.

*rules change to the same as North West on 2 October

Northern and Southern Wales

From 6pm on Thursday, residents of Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham will be banned from mixing indoors with other households – affecting 500,000 people. The full list of Welsh areas in lockdown include:

• Carmarthensire
• Swansea
• Neath Port Talbot
• Bridgend
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Merhtyr Tydfil
• Caerphilly
• Blaenau Gwent
• Torfaen
• Newport
• Cardiff
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Bridgend
• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Wrexham

How do the rules differ from England?

Social gatherings:

In the Welsh local lockdown areas meeting anyone from outside your own household indoors is banned.

Meeting them in gardens or outdoors is allowed.

However people are allowed to gather in groups of thirty outdoors – including in private gardens.

Outside the local lockdown areas, the rule of six applies indoors in Wales but is limited to people from four different households.

The rule of six in Wales applies only to children 11 and over.

travel

In the Welsh local lockdown areas travel to another area is banned unless an individual can provide a 'reasonable excuse'. This can include going to school or work.

If the individual cannot provide a reasonable excuse they can be fined and prosecuted by the courts.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm and can provide table service only.

Schulen

Schools are unaffected by the Welsh local lockdowns. All children over 11 are advised to wear masks in indoor public areas.

Arbeit

The Welsh local lockdowns do not affect the rules on working from home. The Welsh government advises employees to work from home wherever possible and should not return to the work place unless there is a 'clearly demonstrated' need for them to do so.

Masken

The Welsh government legally requires face masks in indoor public places for all people over the age of 11.

Weddings and funerals

Attendees at Welsh weddings and funerals are required to wear face masks. This includes the bride and groom who can remove their masks to kiss.

There is no limit on the size of the ceremonies. Receptions and wakes are limited to 30 people.

Sports

Organised outdoor outdoor sport is allowed but 'social disatncing must be maintained at all times and particiapnts are limited to 30 people.

Gyms and leisure centres can remain open but users must wear masks when not performing strenuous exercise. Indoor sports that cannot be socially distanced are banned.

Cycling is allowed but only within the boundary of the local lockdown area.

The rest of Wales

Other areas in Wales have so far managed to steer clear of new restrictions but are still subject to the Welsh rules.

How do the rules differ from England?

Social gatherings

The rule of six applies indoors in Wales but is limited to people from four different households. However people are allowed to gather in groups of thirty outdoors – including in private gardens.

The rule of six in Wales applies only to children 11 and over.

travel

People from the rest of Wales are not allowed to travel into the local lockdown areas unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'

They are allowed to go on holiday or travel for other 'legitimate' reasons.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm and can provide table service only

Schulen

All children over 11 are advised to wear masks in indoor public areas.

Arbeit

The Welsh government advises employees to work from home wherever possible and should not return to the work place unless there is a 'clearly demonstarted' need for them to do so.

Masken

The Welsh government requires face masks in indoor public places for all people over the age of 11.

Weddings and funerals

Attendees at Welsh weddings and funerals are required to wear face masks. This includes the bride and groom who can remove their masks to kiss.

There is no limit on the size of the ceremonies. Receptions and wakes are limited to 30 people.

Sports

Organised outdoor outdoor sport is allowed but 'social distancing must be maintained at all times and participants are limited to 30 people.

Gyms and leisure centres can remain open but users must wear masks when not performing strenuous exercise. Indoor sports that cannot be socially distanced are banned.

Schottland

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week took the Covid-19 response a step further in Scotland, proving to be moving more cautiously than neighbouring England once again. Areas in lockdown north of the border are:

• West Dunbartonshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• Glasgow City
• Renfrewshire
• East Renfrewshire
• South Lanarkshire
• North Lanarkshire

How do the rules differ from England?

Social gatherings

The rule of six applies indoors and outdoors in Scotland, but it also has a limit of individuals from two households.

Residents of Scotland are not allowed to host people from outside their own household in their own homes. They can host people in their garden but must abide by the above rule of six.

Pubs and Restaurants

People are allowed to meet in pub beer gardens – six people from a maximum of two households. They close at 10pm.

travel

Same as England.

Schulen

Face masks are mandatory in communal areas of secondary schools.

Arbeit

Everyone who can work from home should do. Non-essential offices and call centres should not yet re-open.

Masken

People have to wear face coverings in: aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, and any other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural site, banks, building societies and credit unions, cinemas, community centres, crematoriums and funeral directors, libraries, museums and galleries, places of worship, post offices, storage and distribution facilities, including collection and drop off points, bingo halls, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades and other leisure facilities (such as snooker and pool halls), indoor funfairs, indoor fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres, indoor skating rinks.

Sports

People can take part in organized outdoor sport. Indoors, contact sports are not allowed and social distancing must be maintained.

Weddings and Funerals

Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals should have no more than 20 people indoors or outdoors.

Nordwest

Twenty-six other areas in the North are subject to some restrictions. The affected areas are:

• Blackburn
• Blackpool
• Burnley
• Chorley
• Fylde
• Warte
• Hyndburn
• Knowsley
• Lancaster
• Liverpool
• Pendle
• Preston
• Ribble Valley
• Rossendale
• Sefton
• South Ribble
• St Helens
• West Lancashire
• Wirral
• Wyre
• Bradford
• Calderdale
• Kirklees
• Leeds
• Großraum Manchester

Social gatherings

People are not allowed to host people from outside their own household or support bubble in their houses or garden.

The police will be able to take action against those who break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £200 for those who participate in illegal gatherings. (£100 if paid within 14 days).

While the rules do not ban people from meeting under the rule of six in pubs or restaurants, the government has issued advice that states  residents should not 'socialise with people you do not live with'. It also advises against visiting care home residents.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs and restaurants must shut at 10pm. The guidelines advise that social contact with other households should be avoided in, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks. But it is not banned.

travel

Within most of the North West lockdown public transport is restricted to 'essential trips', be it work or school or looking after an elderly relative. Going outside the area is also restricted to 'essential' reasons.

But this is not law, this is just government advice so it is left to people to judge for themselves what is essential.

The Greater Manchester area is exempt, apart from Oldham where residents have been instructed to avoid using public transport and instead walk or cycle where they can.

Listing acceptable reasons for locals to catch a bus, train or tram, the government website includes: to get to and from work; to get essential food or medical supplies including click and collect services; to support someone who is vulnerable, if no one else can do so; to travel to and from the homes of others in your support bubble; to attend an early years setting, school or college, or to accompany a child who is attending an early years setting, school or college, where necessary; to fulfil legal obligations; to seek medical care, or avoid illness, injury or harm.

Residents can still go on holiday wherever they choose – subject to following the Foreign Office travel guidance – as long as they only go with people in their bubble.

Schulen

Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas.

Arbeit

Same as rest of England.

Masken

Same as rest of England.

Sports

Same as rest of England.

Weddings and Funerals

Same as rest of England.

West Midlands

Britain's second largest city and three surrounding areas were placed into a local lockdown two weeks ago amid concerns the restrictions will spread to other regions.

• Birmingham
• Sandwell
• Solihull
• Wolverhampton

Social gatherings

People are not allowed to host people from outside their own household or support bubble in their houses or garden.

Meeting outside and in pubs is allowed but only under the rule of six.

Pubs and Restaurants

Pubs and restaurants must shut at 10pm.

travel

If you live in the affected area, you can travel outside them. But you must not meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside of the affected areas, unless they are in your support bubble.

Schulen

Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas.

Arbeit

Same as the rest of England.

Masken

Same as the rest of England.

Sports

Same as the rest of England.

Weddings and Funerals

Same as the rest of England.

Covid situation

Coronavirus cases are on the rise across Birmingham, with 12,995 pupils and 714 teachers back home self-isolating.

112 of the city's schools have seen infections since reopening to students at the start of this month.

Leicester

The Department of Health and Social Care yesterday tweaked the rules in place for Leicester's localised lockdown, with the changes also applying to:

• Leicester city
• Oadby
• Wigston

Social gatherings

People are not allowed to host people from outside their own household or support bubble in their houses or garden.

Meeting outside and in pubs is allowed but only under the rule of six.

Leicester is the only area in the country that has had to remain under addition measures since the rest of the country was lifted from lockdown on July 4.

Vulnerable residents have been told to remain shielding until October 5.

After this date formal shielding will be paused in the area, and Leicester City Council will take over advising the local population on what to do.

Pubs and Restaurants

Same as the rest of England.

travel

Same as the rest of England.

Schulen

Face masks are required for school pupils in Year 7 or above in communal areas in areas. Parents have been asked to wear masks on the school run.

Arbeit

Same as the rest of England.

Masken

Same as the rest of England.

Sports

Same as the rest of England.

Weddings and Funerals

Same as the rest of England.

Are there any loopholes?

Despite vast swathes of England, Scotland and Wales being under some form of local lockdown, there are some loopholes people could exploit.

Get a pint after 10pm

Punters can still get their hands on a draft pint after 10pm if they use establishments at motorway services because they are classed as an essential service.

The Hope and Champion is a Wetherspoon at Beaconsfield Services on the M40, in Buckinghamshire is one pub that can still legally serve after the curfew lasting until 5am. It provides food and drink for those on the roads, so now remains open later than other pubs.