The following is correct as of 20 October 8pm. It has been superceded and has only been kept on the site for historical value.
For the most up to date information on restrictions, visit the Government website.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced a new three-tier restriction system of measures for England aimed at combatting the second rise in COVID-19 cases.
They will have implications for the Liverpool City Region (Merseyside and Halton) from 14 October, which will be placed in the highest restriction level, Tier 3 (Very High alert level). Lancashire will be Tier 3 from 17 October. Greater Manchester will be Tier 3 from 23 October. South Yorkshire will be Tier 3 from 24 October.
Full details on Merseyside and Halton restrictions are available on the Government web site at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high-liverpool-city-region and St Helens Council website at https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/coronavirus/latest-updates-and-information/
For most of England, Tier 1 (Medium Alert Level) guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-medium
For Tier 2 (High Alert Level) guidance visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high
For Tier 3 (Very High Level) generic guidance visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high
Full details of all local restrictions across England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-restrictions-areas-with-an-outbreak-of-coronavirus-covid-19
Restrictions will initially be for a month but may be extended to up to six months.
The Scottish government has announced a similar 3-tier system will be introduced there later in October.
The NHS Medical Director, Stephen Powis, stated earlier that more people are now in hospital with COVID-19 than there were before the country's initial lockdown in March. He added that case numbers are also rising markedly in areas of northern England.
NHS Nightingale hospitals put on stand-by in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate.
Most A-level and GCSE exams in England will be delayed by three weeks in 2021.
The Prime Minister's Statement to the House of Commons in full can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-commons-statement-on-coronavirus-12-october-2020