North East lockdown tightened with law banning households mixing in any indoor setting

Speaking at the House of Commons, Matt Hancock announced further restrictions for the North East after the number of Covid-19 cases continued to rise ‘sharply’ despite measures implemented on Friday, September 18.

The new measures announced today (Monday, September 28) include “restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting”.

Mr Hancock told the Commons: “Today I must announce further measures for the parts of the north-east where we introduced local action a fortnight ago.

“Unfortunately the number of cases continues to rise sharply. The incident rate across the area is now over 100 cases per 100,000. We know that a large number of these infections are taking place in indoor settings outside the home.

“And so at the request of the local councils, with whom we have been working closely, we will introduce legal restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting.

“We do not take these steps lightly but we must take them and take them now because we know that swift action is more likely to bring the virus under control and the quicker we can get this virus under control, the quicker we can restore the freedoms we all enjoy in the north-east and across the country.”

So what does this mean?

It has previous been against the guidance, but not against the law, to meet family in friends at an indoor public venue such as a pub or restaurant.

More details on the new law for the North East has not yet been revealed.

It is expected this will impact the already struggling leisure industry further.

When will the new laws be implemented?

A date for when the new legal restrictions on indoor mixing between households has not yet been set and Matt Hancock did not give a date while speaking in parliament on Monday, September 28.

On Friday, September 18, the local lockdown restrictions were brought in for seven North East local authorities; Sunderland, South Tyneside, County Durham, North Tyneside, Gateshead, Northumberland and Newcastle.

The current restrictions, enforceable by law, prevent households, outside of a support bubble, mixing in a private home or garden.

Restrictions to close all entertainment and leisure venues between 10pm and 5am were also brought in before the measure was rolled out nationally.

What happens if you break these rules?

The police are able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices starting at £100 for those who participate in illegal gatherings.

People aged 18 or over can be fined: £100 for the first offence, lowered to £50 if paid within 14 days; £200 for the second offence; then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £3,200.

From today businesses could face fines of up to £10,000 to those who break the law and are not ‘covid secure’.

Hospitality businesses have been told they are required to ensure no unlawful gatherings in their premises and told they must ensure;

- Customers are observing the rule of six

- Appropriate social distancing signage and layout is in place

- Customer entry in managed.

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