Pubs in the Liverpool City region are expected to be told to close their doors tomorrow, potentially for as long as six months.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to announce a raft of new measures in a special press conference tomorrow.
Liverpool has one of the highest rates of coronavirus cases in the UK, with cases spiralling in recent weeks.
Local leaders have been speaking to the government all weekend about what the measures will mean for Liverpool.
The ECHO understands that pubs will be forced to close but that local leaders have pushed for restaurants to be allowed to stay open under the new measures, expected to come in from Wednesday.
While this plan has not been officially confirmed, local leaders are confident this will be agreed to.
The feeling is that well organised restaurants with good hygiene measures and contact tracing systems are safe places for people to go and so will be able to continue opening until 10pm.
Reports also suggest gyms, betting shops and casinos will also be told to shut their doors.
ECHO readers reacted to the news with anger and sadness.
Paul Owey said: "The city has been doing really well the last few years. Local businesses were really busy. There has been new ones starting up every week this is a travesty."
Gary Whitehead said: "This is an absolute joke!!! Destroying the economy further!! Oldham have been in lockdown for six weeks and the cases are still going up!! LOCKDOWN DOESN’T WORK!!!"
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Jo Dykins said: "Feel for anyone that works in them industries... right before Xmas too."
Lesley Melton said: "I feel for business owners they will not reopen many of these."
And Derek Beacon said: "This is disgusting."
