Boris Johnson announcement: When the PM is expected to announce new restrictions North East

This is what we know about the announcement so far.

When will Boris Johnson make the announcement?

Boris Johnson is expected to make a formal announcement of new measures in a statement to MPs later on Monday.

The PM is expected to make a statement to MPs at around 3.30pm, announcing the new system of “local Covid alert levels” in England.

This will come after a COBRA meeting, in which the details of the proposed three-tier lockdown system will be finalised.

At around 6pm on Monday, Mr Johnson will host a televised press conference alongside Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, to address the public and answer questions.

“This is a critical juncture and it is absolutely vital that everyone follows the clear guidance we have set out to help contain the virus,” Downing Street said.

What are the current restrictions in the North East?

Additional local restrictions were announced for seven local authority areas in the region – Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland – on Thursday, September 17.

The authorities, collectively known as LA7, saw a 10pm to 5am closure imposed on a number of venues in their areas (such as bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants) ahead of this measure being rolled out across the rest of the country the following week.

Residents in these areas were banned from mixing with those outside their household or support bubble in private homes, private gardens and any other indoor setting.

These restrictions were also implemented in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough from Saturday, October 3.

On Saturday, October 10 Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he understood that the whole of the Tees Valley would fall under “tier two” restrictions but this has yet to be confirmed.

How many Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the North East?

According to the latest update from Public Health England, released on Sunday, October 11, there have been 37,891 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North East.

Here are the case numbers for the nine local authority areas under the local restrictions:

County Durham: 7,057

Gateshead: 3,064

Hartlepool: 1,350

Middlesbrough: 2,134

Newcastle: 5,972

Northumberland: 3,670

North Tyneside: 2,568

South Tyneside: 2,583

Sunderland: 4,642

What measures could be implemented in a three-tier lockdown?

In an effort to address the rising infection rates, the PM is expected to introduce a three-tier system for local lockdowns, which would see different parts of England placed into different categories.

Areas that fall into tier one will have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 of population and will continue to follow national restrictions, such as the "rule of six" and social distancing.

Those in tier two include areas where cases are above 100 per 100,000, with restrictions to be similar to those currently in place in large parts of northern England, including bans on household meetings.

Areas placed into tier three would include those with significantly higher infection rates and will likely face a full lockdown, which would see pubs and other venues close.

Will pubs and restaurants close?

Mr Johnson is expected to order tougher restrictions in swathes of northern England and the Midlands, with the worst affected areas facing the possible closure of pubs.

Cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle will most likely see hospitality venues forced to shut, as infection rates in these areas continue to soar.

However, a final decision on the time period or extent of the potential closures has not yet been confirmed.

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