The government has announced new local lockdown restrictions for Wigan, Stockport, Blackpool and Leeds amid a surge in Covid-19 cases. 

From midnight on Friday, people in these areas will be banned from mixing with people from outside their household or bubble in their homes or gardens. 

They are also advised against meeting up with people in bars, restaurants and shops. 

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We continue to see an acceleration of COVID-19 cases across the country, especially in the North West and the North East.” 

The government is prepared to take “swift and decisive action” to curb the spread of the virus, he said. 

“I recognise the burden and impact these additional measures have on our daily lives but we must act collectively and quickly to bring down infections.” 

There are some exceptions to the new rules. Following an announcement by the government earlier this week, people will still be able to meet up to offer childcare. 

The UK is facing a second wave of Covid-19, with new national regulations brought in in England this week in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. 

On Friday, the UK recorded 6,874 new cases of coronavirus – the highest on record. 

However, this does not mean that the UK has surpassed the point of the first peak.

During the first wave of infections in March and April, the country’s limited testing capacity meant only a very small proportion of people with the disease were being tested.  

On Friday, Public Health England (PHE) made every borough in London an area of “concern” amid rising coronavirus infections. 

Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for PHE, said: “We are currently seeing much more widespread transmission in the city and being recognised as an area of concern is an important step in our efforts to control the virus.

“We are continuing to keep a watching brief on the situation and this new status will enable us to respond more rapidly and with additional measures should cases rise further and faster.”