The entire county of Staffordshire will be 'upgraded' to Tier 2 at the weekend, it has been confirmed.
The 'high alert' coronavirus restrictions mean Staffordshire residents will be banned from socialising with other households indoors - including pubs and restraurants, from 12.01am on Saturday.
Last week, Stoke-on-Trent was placed into Tier 2 following a rise in coronavirus cases in the city.
But now other areas of the county - including the Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford Borough, Cannock, Lichfield, East and South Staffordshire and Tamworth - will be subject to the stricter rules.
It has also been announced today that Dudley and Telford & Wrekin would also move into Tier 2, confirming reports which have already circulated this week.
The decision - which will be reviewed in two weeks - follows the announcement that Birmingham and the West Midlands look set to be moved up to Tier 3.
StokeonTrentLive reports that Burton MP Kate Griffths 'confirmed' the news on her Facebook page.
She said: "Further to yesterday's post, I have now had it officially confirmed that Burton & Uttoxeter – along with the rest of Staffordshire – will be entering Tier 2 at 00.01 on Saturday."
Moving to Tier 2 means residents living in Staffordshire will no longer be able to mix with other households indoors - unless in a support bubble.
People can continue to mix with anyone they don't live with outdoors - as long as they are in a group of no more than six.
People can still travel to other areas, but government advice is to limit trips.
Individuals caught breaking the rules can be issued with a £200 which rises to £400 for a second offence, and then double for each subsequent offence - up to a maximum of £6,400.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We continue to see a worrying rise in cases right across the country, and it is clear decisive action is needed.
"We have agreed with local leaders to move more areas into the High Local Covid Alert Level this week.
"These restrictions are challenging for us all, but it is only by working together and following the rules that we will bring down the rates of infection.
"A failure to act now will only lead to longer disruption and greater economic damage. I want to thank everyone who is playing their part to break the chains of transmission across the country. We will beat this virus, but we must stick together as we enter the winter months."
