
Bans on people mixing with other households in any setting will be introduced in large parts of north-east England due to coronavirus cases continuing to rise sharply.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the existing measures – for Northumberland, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham – were being tightened at the request of local councils because the virus was still spreading.
It had been illegal for two households to mix inside or in a garden, but it was only guidance that they should not meet at public venues, including restaurants and pubs.
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