The areas expected to be governed by the new restrictions include Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Country Durham and Sunderland. The Government is poised to announce the changes tomorrow. 

The new rule will come into effect from Friday, which could force pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises to close from 10pm each day, as a curfew is introduced.

But the hospitality venues will be allowed to reopen, unlike in Bolton where pubs and restaurants are take-away only.

Residents of the areas will also be banned from socialising with anyone from a different household.

People will also be asked not to visit care homes unless it is essential, not to attend sporting venues and to avoid public transport except for essential journeys.

The new measures are expected to come into force after midnight on Friday morning in a bid to curb the dramatic rise in coronavirus cases across the region.

It comes after health minister Nadine Dorries met with 22 MPs from north east England earlier today.

Seven local authorities have been urging for new restrictions to be introduced as infections begin to steadly rise. 

Speaking earlier this week, Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said: “There is universal concern from council leaders across our region about the exponential rise in Covid cases over the last week.

“Unless we get on with this now, we are facing a bigger problem down the line which could end up in a full lockdown.

“It is better to try to introduce measures which will prevent that, even though that may mean some additional restrictions over the next few weeks.

“We are working with the government on a plan for what those could mean and how we can get those measures in place over the next few weeks to protect our communities and having to go into another prolonged, damaging lockdown.”

More to follow…