Strict restrictions brought in for restaurants and pubs across the region

Major restrictions are being brought in across the North West from next Tuesday as part of the response to rising cases of coronavirus.

Local measures in Merseyside, Warrington, Halton and Lancashire, excluding Blackpool, will require all restaurants, pubs, cinemas and other leisure venues to shut at 10pm. Hospitality venues in those areas must be table service only.

Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

People living in those areas are also advised to only use public transport “for essential purposes”, which includes travelling to school or work, and not to attend amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

The restrictions which are already in place for Bolton and Greater Manchester are unchanged.

Earlier this week the Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region and the leaders of four Cheshire local authorities called on the Government to urgently deploy more COVID-19 testing capacity in the region.

Merseyside was last week identified by the Government as an ‘area of concern’, with COVID-19 cases rising across the region.

Current rates of infection in Liverpool are 100.6 per 100,000 people.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said today : “Since Merseyside was identified last week as an ‘area of concern’, there has been a growing expectation that increased restrictions would be put in place for our region.

Steve Rotheram

“We now know that these new restrictions will come in to force from Tuesday next week.

“With COVID-19 cases still increasing rapidly we must do everything we can to curb rising infection rates and protect our families, communities and businesses.

“That means that these increased restrictions are now a regrettable, but necessary step.

“I know that this will be difficult for us all, but we simply cannot afford to see the progress we have made over the last few months derailed and for our communities and businesses to suffer more than they already have.

“Please be absolutely clear: We are already seeing hospital admissions increase, putting pressure on our NHS and we can’t allow this to reach the crisis levels we saw during national lockdown.

“We must all stop, think and do the right thing, or we will risk seeing infection rates spiral out of control, more tragic and avoidable deaths and a more drastic and damaging lockdown across our region.

“There is still time for us to stop this from happening.

“Our city region is renowned for being kind, friendly and community-spirited.

“We now need to stick to those principles, respect these new restrictions and make sure that we look out for one another.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “These decisions have been made in close collaboration with local leaders, with many requesting restrictions to help prevent further increase.

“Rates in Liverpool have increased to 100.6, with Warrington rising to 111.2 in the past week (5-11th Sept).

“These changes are in addition to the ‘Rule of six’ which was introduced nationwide on Monday, limiting the number of people who can gather indoors or outdoors to six.

“This rule is in place across the country and will sit alongside additional restrictions in some local areas.”

Joe Anderson

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “We have warned for several weeks now that tougher restrictions would be on the way unless we started to see the number of infections coming under control.

“Any further measures, such as closing venues, would be measures that the city’s economy simply could not afford and would be a devastating blow for individuals and livelihoods.

“It is really important that we all take individual and collective responsibility and follow the advice and guidance being given by medical experts in order to get us through this pandemic together.”

Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton, said: “These are a series of enhanced public health measures designed to protect our community and if everybody follows them it hopefully will help us avoid the need for further restrictions.

“The most effective thing we can all do is stay two metres away from other people. Outdoors is safer than indoors. Wear a face covering in all shops and businesses and on public transport and properly self-isolate if you have symptoms, and get tested.

“Please only use businesses that are COVID-secure and which look after your health by taking your details for test and trace, enforce social distancing and have good hygiene measures in place.”

He added: “We know these measures will be hard, but I cannot stress enough that we are now entering a critical period for the city, with students returning and colder weather on the way which will mean an increase in time spent indoors which is where the virus can thrive, so we all have a responsibility to take actions to minimise the risk of it spreading further.”

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company and chair of The BID Foundation, said: “The onus is on everyone right now.

“These restrictions don’t mean Liverpool is closed but it does mean we need to spend a little more time thinking about safety when we are out and about. When you’re keeping yourself safe, you’re keeping Liverpool safe.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that these restrictions have had to come in.

“The last thing we wanted was anything that could disrupt Liverpool’s fragile recovery.

Bill Addy

“What we have to focus on now is three fold: We have to make sure businesses have everything they need to make both themselves and their customers safe; we need to be securing support for the businesses who are not going to be able to operate under these restrictions; we need to ensure this situation is as short-lived as possible and we work together to get these numbers down.

“We will be working with our businesses across all sectors to help them adhere to these new restrictions and timings.

“Everyone needs to do their own bit and we need to be extra careful.

“If you’re a business, be it a retailer, a hospitality business or you have an office in the city centre, are you making it COVID-safe for your staff and customers?

“Do you have a trace system in place in case you need to contact anyone who’s been in your business? Do you know what your responsibility is and what the guidance is for the city that you need to adhere to?”

He added: “It’s worth remembering that this couldn’t have come at a worse time for some businesses.

“Furlough is coming to an end – for many, many businesses they haven’t seen anything yet of a recovery.

“While some have benefited in this period, others have been unable to open their doors, yet haven’t had any support.

“We are continuing to lobby government, locally, regionally and nationally, to make sure that when these restrictions are lifted we aren’t faced with businesses for whom this has been the last straw and they’re forced to shut.”

“For anyone in the city centre, whether it’s for work or leisure, make sure you have your mask with you as it is mandatory inside many public spaces.

“Carry some hand sanitiser so that you can keep your hands clean while you’re out and about. Keep your distance from other people.”

Damian Waters

Damian Waters, CBI North West director, said: “Businesses in the North West know public health must come first and have been doing all they can to keep staff and customers safe, whether it’s pubs, shops, factories or offices.

“This news will come as a bitter disappointment for many businesses across the North West, but the Government cannot stand by as infection rates rise in the region.

“Taking action now can help to maintain confidence and avoid further restrictions on businesses and households in the months ahead.

“With the number of new local restrictions on the rise, the Government will need to take an urgent look at the business support packages for the Autumn, including a successor to the furlough scheme.”

Meanwhile, the leaders of Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council sent a joint message to everyone across the county, saying, if we act now, we have time to avoid a new peak in infections and a local lockdown.

In the seven days to 12 September, there were 106 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cheshire West and 100 confirmed cases in Cheshire East, a four-fold increase on recent case numbers.

With the number of infections even higher in Merseyside, Warrington and Halton, the council leaders feel the next seven days offer a crucial opportunity to curb the number of infections if more people change their behaviour immediately.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Sam Corcoran, said: “There has been a rise in infections across the region during the past few weeks and this is something we need to address now to avoid increased restrictions being imposed on Cheshire.

Cllr Sam Corcoran

“COVID-19 remains a real threat, even more so now that it’s right on our doorstep. Our best defence is to be rigorous about simple prevention measures – wash your hands with soap and water, don’t touch your face and maintain social distancing.

“Now is not a time to be complacent, we all must think about the consequences of our actions and carefully consider avoiding situations where we are exposed to other households and larger numbers of people for any length of time.

“I also want to stress the importance of self-isolating and booking yourself in for a test if you have symptoms. However, we also know that testing capacity is not adequate and I, along with other council leaders, have called for increased testing capacity for Cheshire and Merseyside.”

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “Many people have been observing public health guidance since lockdown was lifted and we have done well to make changes to our lives, but we cannot be complacent. Now is the time to redouble our efforts.

Cllr Louise Gittins

“We are seeing a big rise in case numbers and at this rate local lockdown restrictions in Cheshire West are possible, as are increased risks to the health of local people.

“This rise is particularly the case with young people. We need their support to get us back on track, but all our residents and businesses have the opportunity to turn this tide. We can make the difference. But we need to act now or our progress will be lost.

“If we all play our part and make sensible changes to our behaviour straight away, maybe we can avoid having to impose further restrictions this Autumn and leading up to Christmas.”

The councils are also putting in place enhanced prevention measures, and will take action through local powers if necessary, to protect the public.