Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced new lockdown measures will come into force across the North East of England from tomorrow.
Mr Hancock gave a statement in the House of Commons saying action was needed because of a surge in the number of cases of coronavirus.
The measures will include a 10pm curfew for hospitality businesses - including pubs - and a ban on socialising among different households.
Mr Hancock confirmed local lockdown restrictions will be introduced in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham following “concerning rates of infection”.
Hancock said restrictions will be put in place in the North East from Friday.
Speaking in the Commons, he said: “From tomorrow, in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham, residents should not socialise with other people outside their own households or support bubble.
“Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only and late night restrictions on operating hours will be introduced so leisure and entertainment venues must close between 10pm and 5am.
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The North East has confirmed 18,963 cases of coronavirus according to the Government coronavirus dashboard.
This equates to a rate of 710.2 per 100,000 people.
Mr Hancock said from tomorrow the restrictions in north-east England would include a ban on residents socialising with other people outside their own households, table service only in bars and restaurants and the closure of leisure and entertainment venues between 10pm and 5am.
Matt Hancock added that the pandemic is not over.
He told MPs: “Like many other countries around the world, we’re continuing to see a concerning rise in cases with 3,991 new cases recorded yesterday.
“And this week the number of patients in mechanical ventilator beds has risen above 100 for the first time since July.
“The battle against coronavirus is not over.”
