Coronavirus: Which areas in UK are now under local lockdown?

People walk through Liverpool city centre as new local restrictions are confirmed (AFP via Getty Images)
People walk through Liverpool city centre as new local restrictions are confirmed (AFP via Getty Images)

Since the first 'local lockdown' was imposed at the end of June, the number of areas under extra restrictions has increased amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the UK.

These measures - which are placed on top of nationwide regulations such as the 'Rule of Six' - now cover millions of people across large swathes of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

They are also increasingly complicated, with each area choosing to adopt different kinds of restrictions.

Here is a rundown of which areas in the UK are currently under local lockdown.

England

The basic approach taken by the government is to impose 'social contact restrictions' in areas with high rates of cases.

If you are in one of the stated areas you must not:

  • Host people you do not live with in your home or garden

  • Meet people you do not live with in their home or garden (both inside and outside the area in question)

There are of course several exceptions, such as for work purposes, fulfilling a legal obligation, visiting a person who is dying, or if the person is in your support bubble (where a household with one adult joins with another household on an exclusive basis).

North West

City of Manchester, Trafford, Bury, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford: Social contact restrictions.

Bolton: Casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas, exhibition centres and conference halls must stay closed. Hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants can only offer takeaways. Businesses including cinemas, hospitality venues, theatres, museums, betting shops and beauty salons must close between 10pm and 5am. Social contact restrictions.

Oldham: Social contact restrictions. Shielding for the clinically vulnerable. Face coverings in schools.

Blackburn with Darwen: Social contact restrictions in eight out of 23 wards: Audley and Queen’s Park, Bastwell and Daisyfield, Billinge and Beardwood, Blackburn Central, Little, Harwood and Whitebirk, Roe Lee, Shear Brow and Corporation Park, Wensley Fold.

Preston: Social contact restrictions and no mixing with other households in indoor venues (including homes, bars, restaurants and cafes).

Pendle: Social contact restrictions in seven borough wards covering Nelson and Brierfield. Local restaurants are encouraged to halt walk-ins, and only seat people who make reservations in advance. Weddings and funerals are limited to 20 people.

From 22 September: Social contact restrictions will apply across the whole of Lancashire apart from Blackpool, as well as Merseyside, Halton and Warrington. In these areas restaurants, pubs and bars will be table service only, and leisure and entertainment venues will have to close from 10pm to 5am.

Yorkshire and the Humber

Bradford: Social contact restrictions in 21 out of 30 council wards. Visits to care homes restricted unless exceptional circumstances.

Calderdale: Social contact restrictions in eight wards.

Kirklees: Social contact restrictions in five wards including parts of Dewsbury and Batley.

From 22 September: Social contact restrictions in all parts of Bradford, Kirkless and Calderdale.

North East

Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland: Closure of nightclubs, dancehalls and discos, sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars. Hospitality venues such as restaruants, pubs, casinos and cafes, can only sell food and drink for consumption at a table or off premises. Food can be delivered if ordered remotely. Leisure and entertainment venues must close from 10pm to 5pm each day, including bowling alleys, cinemas, and theatres. Social contact restrictions and face coverings in schools.

Midlands

City of Leicester: Social contact restrictions. Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to shield until 5 October by staying at home as much as possible.

Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull: Social contact restrictions.

Northampton, Greencore factory sites: Self-isolation regulations are still in force for some workers and their households following the temporary closure of the Greencore sandwich supplier factory on 21 August after almost 300 workers tested positive.

From 22 September: Social contact restrictions in Oadby and Wigston in Leicestershire, and Wolverhampton. Only essential visits to the home will be permitted in Wolverhampton, such as by carers or for urgent repairs.

Scotland

Additional restrictions currently apply to East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire. They will be reviewed on 22 September.

In these areas you cannot meet people from any other households in your home, or make a social visit to the home of people you do not live with, unless they are in your extended household (where two households have joined together because one of the households is a person living on their own or only with children under the age of 18)

Hospital visits are only allowed if essential, such as to accompany a child or to see a person receiving end-of-life care.

Care home visits are only restricted to outdoors only, unless for end-of-life or exceptional circumstances.

Wales

Caerphilly: People are not allowed to enter or leave the county area without a reasonable excuse. Everyone over 11 is required to wear face coverings indoors. You are only able to meet outdoors, and are not allowed to meet indoors with anyone you don't live with unless there are good reasons to do so, such as providing care to a vulnerable person. Hospital and care home visits are limited.

Rhondda Cynon Taf: People are not allowed to leave the area unless they have reasonable excuse, such as they cannot work from home. You are not allowed to meet indoors with anyone who is not part of household. Licensed premises close at 11pm.

Northern Ireland

Local restrictions apply in the Greater Belfast area, the BT60 postcode which covers parts of County Armagh, Ballymena Town and the BT43 postcode. Note, however, that the government of Northern Ireland states that “this is not a lockdown” and adds: “The new restrictions are focused on reducing contacts between people in household settings.”

In these areas there cannot be any mixing of households in private dwellings, unless they are bubbling with one other household or have to carry out caring responsibilities, essential maintenance, legal or medical visits, or attend a marriage or civil partnership ceremony where one partner is terminally ill.

No more than six people, from no more than two households, can gather in private garden.

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