North West coronavirus restrictions: What are the rules where I live?

There are various rules for different parts of the North West. Credit: PA

There are lots of different local lockdown restrictions across the North West after new guidance was announced today for Merseyside, parts of Cheshire and most of Lancashire.

Some places in the North West are following the national law of the "rule of six", whilst other places have restrictions on mixing with other households and in some places, there are restrictions on the hospitality sector.

So what are the rules where you live?

Liverpool City Region and Warrington

The Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, St Helens, Wirral, Knowsley, Halton and Sefton) and Warrington have had new restrictions announced today by the Health Secretary.

  • It will be illegal for two households to mix in any indoor setting, including in pubs and restaurants.

  • The government is advising against people mixing with other households in outdoor settings, although this will not be illegal.

  • People are also being advised to only travel for essential reasons such as work or education.

  • People are being asked not to visit care homes or to attend any amateur or professional sporting events.

Greater Manchester

There have been restrictions in Greater Manchester since the end of July, with some boroughs having restrictions tightened or lifted in that time.

  • You must not host people you do not live with, or who are not in your support bubble, in your private home or garden.

  • You should not visit people you do not live within their private home or garden even if they do not live in Greater Manchester.

  • You are advised not to have any social contact with anyone outside of your own household in any public venue inside or outside of Greater Manchester.

  • Businesses such as casinos and bowling alleys are allowed to re-open and weddings and funerals are allowed with a maximum of 15 people for weddings and 30 for funerals.

  • Bolton is being brought under these guidelines after previously having hospitality venues closed.

Breaking these rules can result in you being served with a fixed penalty notice.

The full restrictions can be found here.

Lancashire

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

  • Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only.

  • Late night operating hours will be restricted, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10pm to 5am.

People are also being advised to adhere to the following:

  • Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work.

  • Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

Residents shielding in areas of Blackburn that had been under enhanced local lockdown people will no longer have to from October 5.

Shielding is due to pause in other areas of Blackburn and Darwen from September 23.

If you do not live in any of these areas you have to follow the government's "rule of six" law.

This means that it is illegal to gather in groups larger than six in any indoor or outdoor setting.

The government has also said that hospitality venues across the UK have to close at 10pm, with table service being mandatory.

A single household or support bubble that is larger than six will still be able to gather.

Covid-secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants and hospitality settings can still hold more than six in total, although you shouldn't gather with more than six people inside those venues.

Education and work settings are not affected by the new rules.