From today, July 31, millions of people across Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire are subject to tougher restrictions.
The news was announced just before 9pm last night (July 30) and cam into affect from midnight.
Announcing the huge changes, health secretary Matt Hancock said "households gathering and not abiding by the social distancing rules" was a reason for the stricter rules and it was in order to "keep the country safe".
This means that people in these areas have been banned from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens following a spike in coronavirus cases.
This prevents members of two different households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues.
However, shops and hospitality venues do not need to close down like at the start of the UK-wide lockdown.
But this has left people with questions about childcare and on-going work they are having on their homes.
Can they carry on?
This hasn't yet been made completely clear, however, in the government's Q&A on the North West restrictions only says that people living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work. Workplaces must implement Covid-19 Secure guidance.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Friday, Dr Sarah Jarvis said that a deputy chief medical officer told them that "you are more likely to hug your granny than your cleaner," suggesting this won't be allowed.
However, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who also appeared on the ITV news programme said they can, as long as social distancing is adhered to.
He said the restrictions are about "mingling" - meaning someone coming to do work in your home and keeping distance is different to a social gathering.
