Covid-19: UK unveils new lockdown restrictions for surging cases 

The new restrictions affect many parts of the North West in England. Picture: PA

Parts of England’s North West, West Yorkshire and the Midlands face tough new restrictions as the UK Health Secretary refused to rule out a national lockdown amid a widespread rise in Covid-19.

Ministers in Britain announced a tightening of rules in response to “major increases” in cases, with Merseyside, Warrington, Halton and Lancashire – excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester – escalated to “areas of intervention”.