Heightened coronavirus restrictions take effect in parts of England

Photo: www.facebook.com/Boris Johnson

Tighter restrictions came into force at midnight on Saturday in parts of northern England after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

It is now illegal for different households to meet indoors in Liverpool, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Warrington.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was “necessary” to bring the new measures and urged people in these areas to travel only when it is essential, for example, to school and work, and not to attend sports events as spectators.

The restrictions were imposed after 268 cases per 100,000 people were recorded in Liverpool.

The latest move came as Britain’s R number, which shows the coronavirus reproduction, has risen to as high as 1.6, the latest official figures showed Friday.

The R number is now between 1.3 and 1.6, up from between 1.2 and 1.5 last week, according to the British government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

If the reproduction rate is above one, it means the number of cases will increase exponentially.

More than a third of Britain’s population is now under heightened restrictions, according to the BBC.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia and the United States, are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.

Local lockdowns also came into force in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham in North Wales from 6:00 p.m. BST (1700 GMT) on Thursday.

Northern Ireland, Londonderry and nearby town of Strabane will face new restrictions next week, with hospitality businesses reduced to takeaway, delivery and outdoor dining.