What’s being said about new ‘tougher’ coronavirus lockdown restrictions

A coronavirus testing site at Moor Park in Preston Pic: Donna Clifford

As coronavirus infection rates continue to increase in Preston, and Lancashire, further lockdown restrictions are being considered.

The government is understood to be considering the closure of pubs and restaurants in the worst-affected Covid-19 areas.

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A three-tier system for local lockdowns is also being mooted, tidying up differing restrictions in different places – and moving to a traffic-light style system.

Preston currently has an infection rate of 306.7 per 100,000 – the second-highest in Lancashire – and putting it just outside the England top 10 for infection rates.

Here’s what’s being reported about any potential new restrictions, which the BBC states could be announced on Monday (12 October).

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BBC News

BBC Breakfast saw communities secretary Robert Jendrick say the government is ‘currently considering what steps to take’.

The worst-affected areas could also see a ban on overnight stays away from home.

Laura Kuenssberg’s analysis touches on the battles between the Department of Health and the Treasury over the course of action needed.

The Mirror

Reporting that the Prime Minister is poised to shut pubs and restaurants in large parts of ‘the North of England from Monday’.

Health secretary Matt Hancock is understood to have told hospitality industry chiefs that a large proportion of new cases are contracted in pubs and restaurants.

The Mail

Apparently ’10 million Northerners’ will be put into tougher local lockdown restrictions.

They state the ‘traffic light’ system has been signed off by the PM and say Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle are all expected to be included.

The Guardian

Communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, is quoted again – this time saying local lockdowns are having a limited effect in England.

The piece goes on to say tough new restrictions are being discussed for large parts of northern England.

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You can see Preston and your area’s latest coronavirus stats by entering your postcode below

LancsLive

Councils are apparently ‘in the dark’ over any new restrictions for Lancashire, Tom Earnshaw reports.

It states the Lancashire Resilience Forum is not preparing any briefings at this stage about a change in restrictions.

Lancashire Post

The focus is on the shutting of pubs, and the calls for a ‘circuit breaker’ national lockdown – with half-term being pin-pointed as a potentisal option.

Huffington Post

Preston City Council’s leader councillor Matthew Brown has been featured as part of a Huffington Post piece by Aasma Day looking at what northern political leaders make of the coronavirus pandemic – and how the government has handled it.

Cllr Brown said people were ‘confused’ and everything was ‘very last minute’.

He repeated calls for local councils to be given more resources and more responsibility to help drive down local cases.

BBC North West Tonight

The region’s television show had a 30-minute Covid-19 special, followed by a Facebook Live Q&A, during Wednesday evening – asking why the North West’s Covid-19 infections were so high in comparison to the rest of the UK. You can watch it below

What are Preston’s current coronavirus restrictions?

You should not meet other people outside of your own household, or support or childcare bubble, in private homes or gardens.
You are not permitted to socialise with people you do not live with at any public venue – inside or outside, including cafes, pubs, community centres or parks
You should not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances
You can travel outside your local area, however you must not people you do not live with in their home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble
You can continue to travel in and out of your local area for work, but where possible you should work from home
Schools and nurseries remain open, in schools and colleges with Year 7 teaching or above then face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises
Leisure and entertainment venues, including restaurants, pubs and cinemas, must close between 10pm and 5am
Hospitality for food and drink is restricted to table service only
Residents are advised against attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators
Essential and non-essential shops are open, face coverings must be worn in all shops, supermarkets and shopping centres unless you have a medical exemption
Weddings and civil partnerships are limited to 15 people, receptions are limited to the same number
Funerals are restricted to 30 people
You can still go on holiday outside of your local area, but this should only be with your household or with your support bubble

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What do you make of the potential tougher lockdown? Would you support seeing pubs and restaurants closed? Let us know in the comments below