Parts of Lancashire look set to be next to face the toughest coronavirus controls as local MPs meet with the government.
The county would follow Liverpool City Region into the Tier 3 restrictions - which would see bars, gyms and betting shops forced to close.
The move came amid reports the Government's Joint Biosecurity Centre had recommended most of the North West and North East of England, as well as parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands, should be moved into Tier 3.
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Tory county council leader Geoff Driver said it was "inevitable" his region would be entering Tier 3, but nothing had been agreed upon yet.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi would not rule out that Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce parts of Lancashire are being moved into Tier 3 restrictions.
Mr Zahawi told Sky News: "I hope that they can be at the meeting and make time for that meeting so they can hear from the chief medical officer, from the deputy chief medical officer, as to why we're having to take this action."
But asked if saying "we're having to take this action" meant the move had already been decided, the minister said: "What I'm saying to you is they need to see the data and of course that decision will be made jointly with local leaders."
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Later pressed again whether Mr Hancock will announce the moving of Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire into Tier 3, Mr Zahawi said: "I'm not going to speculate. Matt Hancock is going to make a statement to Parliament as to where we are at but you can clearly see the numbers, the virus is rising."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is set to address the House of Commons at 11.30am on the situation.
