CHESHIRE West and Chester will be placed in tier two of the new coronavirus lockdown measures for England.

Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders confirmed the news following a meeting with ministers this afternoon (October 12).

It means indoor mixing of households will be banned in the borough. The rule of six will apply to outdoor settings.

Pubs will stay open but with a curfew in place.

The new three-tier system of local lockdown measures for England have been announced by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons today in an effort to curb rising Covid-19 rates.

He is set to address the nation at 7pm.

Mr Johnson said: “We will now simplify and standardise our local rules, by introducing a three tiered system of local covid alert levels in England set at  medium, high and very high.”

“The medium alert level will cover most of the country and will consist of the current national measures, this includes the rule of six and the closure of hospitality at 10pm.

“The high alert level reflects the interventions in many local areas at the moment. This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between different households indoors.

"In these areas the rule of six will continue to apply outdoors where it is harder for the virus to spread in public spaces as well as private gardens.”

What is happening?

Different parts of the country will be split up into “medium”, “high” or “very high” local coronavirus alert areas under the new system Boris Johnson has announced today.

It comes after the Prime Minister held a telephone conference with Cabinet colleagues on Sunday to discuss the situation and ongoing negotiations with local leaders in the North of England.

What do the tiers mean?

Areas listed as medium will be subject to the same rules as those which currently apply across the country, such as the rule of six and the 10pm hospitality curfew.

In the high alert level, which Cheshire West and Chester falls into, the following restrictions are 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.
  • 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 to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

The very high alert level will apply to areas causing the most concern, and social mixing will be prohibited indoors and in private gardens.

Pubs and bars will be closed in the very high alert level areas unless they can operate as a restaurant. People will also be advised against travel in and out of the areas.

Regulations for all three local alert levels will be laid today and they will be debated and voted on in the House of Commons tomorrow.

Subject to that vote tomorrow, they will come into force on Wednesday, subject to the approval of Parliament.