MATT Hancock has confirmed from tomorrow the restrictions in north-east England would include a ban on residents socialising with other people outside their own households, table service only in bars and restaurants and the closure of leisure and entertainment venues between 10pm and 5am.
The Tory Minister said restrictions will be put in place in the area from tomorrow.
Speaking in the Commons, he said: "From tomorrow, in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham, residents should not socialise with other people outside their own households or support bubble.
"Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only and late night restrictions on operating hours will be introduced so leisure and entertainment venues must close between 10pm and 5am."
Hancock added that the pandemic is not over.
He told MPs: "Like many other countries around the world, we're continuing to see a concerning rise in cases with 3,991 new cases recorded yesterday.
"And this week the number of patients in mechanical ventilator beds has risen above 100 for the first time since July.
"The battle against coronavirus is not over."
Hancock said that the people of north-east England will "come together" to beat the virus.
He said: "I know, the whole House knows, that these decisions have a real impact on families, on businesses and on local communities and I can tell everyone affected that we do not take these decisions lightly.
"We agree with the local councils that we must follow the data and act and the data says that we must act now so that we can control the virus and keep people safe.
"And I know that the people of the north east will come together to beat this virus, as defeat it we must."
He went on: "We've seen concerning rates of infection in parts of the North East.
"Sunderland, for example, now has an incidence rate of 103 positive cases per 100,000 population.
"And in South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle, figures are all above 70."
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