A RANGE of increased coronavirus restrictions were announced for Warrington this afternoon, Friday, due to the high number of new coronavirus cases in the town.
Latest Public Health England statistics show that the town’s rate of new cases now stands at 100.5 per 100,000 people, after 211 new cases were recorded in the seven days to September 14.
Earlier this week, Warrington Borough Council warned residents not to visit other people’s homes, which will now be imposed by regulation.
And this is just one of a number of measures which will come into force on Tuesday in an attempt to bring Warrington’s case rate under control.
If you missed our coverage earlier today, here is everything you need to know.
Pub and restaurant curfews, visiting other homes and public transport:
Businesses operating in the hospitality sector will be required to shut between 10pm and 5am from Tuesday, with table service only being permitted before then.
Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.
New guidance also states that the use of public transport should be ‘for essential purposes only’, while there should be no spectators at amateur or semi-professional sports fixtures.
Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: "We welcome these new restrictions in Warrington, which are absolutely necessary if we are to drive down infection numbers.”
What Health Secretary Matt Hancock had to say on the measures:
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said residents under new lockdown restrictions should 'respect the rules' to reduce the rates of coronavirus transmission.
Announcing the restrictions this afternoon, Mr Hancock said: "We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise fast in Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warrington, Halton and Wolverhampton.
"Local leaders in these areas have asked for stronger restrictions to be put in place to protect local people, and we are acting decisively to support them.”
Risk of even tighter measures if town fails to get coronavirus ‘under control’:
Warrington runs the risk of even tighter measures if it fails to get coronavirus ‘back under control’, says Tory MP Andy Carter.
He said: "The decision to ask bars and clubs to close at 10pm is a difficult one but I hope one that will contribute quickly to the goal of stopping further transmission.
“I ask everyone to continue to play their part."
Labour Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols says she knows the news over the tougher restrictions will be ‘hugely disappointing’, but believes they are necessary to protect local lives.
The town’s Liberal Democrats are calling on everyone to abide by the rules in order to protect the vulnerable and minimise coronavirus-related deaths.
How the town’s new coronavirus measures will impact you:
You will rightly have plenty of questions about the new restrictions and what impact they will have on your daily life.
We have put together a list of questions you may be thinking, as well as the answers, in order to help you to get your heads around what is needed of you.
Questions include how long the measures will be in place, which venues will be forced to close at 10pm and who you will be allowed to meet up with outside.
We have also put together some guidance on whether grandparents will be able to look after children
More of our coverage from today can be found below:
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