New Lockdown Measures Introduced In Parts Of Northern England

Several regions in Northern England are facing new lockdown measures after an increase in transmission of coronavirus cases.

Last night (July 30), the government announced that from today cross-household gatherings in homes and indoor hospitality venues are banned in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire.

2/4 We’ve been working with local leaders across the region, and today I chaired a meeting of the Local Action Gold Committee. Based on the data, we decided that in Greater Manchester, parts of West Yorkshire & East Lancashire we need to take immediate action to keep people safe.

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 30, 2020

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the increase in transmission of COVID-19 was a result of people visiting friends and family and “not abiding to social distancing.”

He added: “We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe.”

The government will sign legislation to make the new lockdown measures in the North enforceable, giving police forces and local authorities the power to ensure the rules are followed.

The new restrictions come after 846 coronavirus cases were reported yesterday which is the highest number of cases in a day for a month.