Millions of people face being put under Tier 3 restrictions next week, with West Yorkshire and the West Midlands the latest areas to potentially face the stricter measures.
The rate of COVID-19 infections is rising rapidly across the UK, with the weekly case rate in England at 201 people per 100,000 from 15 October to 21 October, up from 100 people per 100,000 for the week 25 September to 1 October.
Cases are not evenly spread, with infection rates rising more rapidly in some areas than others.
Liverpool was the first place to be put under Tier 3 measures, but in the past couple of weeks other areas such as Warrington, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire have also been placed in the highest tier.
Local authority sources in the West Midlands said the "very high" restrictions level could be imposed "by the end of next week or the start of the following week".
The region's Conservative mayor Andy Street said on Thursday that "no decision has yet been made locally nor by central Government in regards to some or all of the West Midlands Combined Authority area moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3".
He said in a statement: "There are active conversations between local leaders as to what would be needed from a Tier 3 support package.
"I know many will question why there is talk of Tier Three despite our current rate of infection being lower than those in other parts of the country when they entered the highest tier of restrictions.
"But if our cases continue to rise we must protect our hospitals, and by acting before our cases reach the levels seen elsewhere we have a better chance of the restrictions working."
Council leaders in West Yorkshire are also continuing to discuss a possible move into Tier 3 with government officials.
Further north, Teesside Tory MP Jacob Young said he thought the Tees Valley will be placed in the toughest Tier 3 restrictions "within the next week or so" as north-east political leaders said they were meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss whether the region should be placed in the highest bracket.
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Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "Given the rising case rate and other factors, a move to Tier 3 would seem to be inevitable at some stage."
The news comes as the government announced that several areas will move from Tier 1 to Tier 2 from Midnight on Friday night.
The areas moving into Tier 2, after discussions with local leaders are:
- Yorkshire and the Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston-Upon-Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire;
- West Midlands: Dudley, Staffordshire, Telford and the Wrekin;
- East Midlands: Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales, Derby City, South Derbyshire, the whole of High Peak; Charnwood;
- East of England: Luton; and
- South East: Oxford City.
This means that for these areas, the following measures will be in place.
- people must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place;
- people must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space; and
- people should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.
These measures will be reviewed every 14 days to consider whether they are still appropriate.
