WARRINGTON will be placed under strict Tier 3 lockdown restrictions in the coming days, following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

The Cheshire town, home to about 210,000 people, is the 37th-worst hit place in England for Covid-19 infections, according to government data.

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When does Warrington go into Tier 3 lockdown?

Tier 3 restrictions will come into force from Tuesday October 27 at 00:01am.

The measures were supposed to come into effect on Thursday October 29 but Warrington council have moved the date to "urgently bring down the number of cases" and protect the NHS.

Council leader Russ Bowden said the decision was "necessary and proportionate".

"We know that our case numbers in Warrington remain stubbornly high, but what is more concerning is the number of admissions into hospital," he said.

Warrington council have strictly prohibited residents socialising with anybody from a different household, in any indoor setting, private garden or most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events

Residents are also prohibited from socialising in a group of more than six in outdoor public spaces such as parks.

What does Tier 3 lockdown mean?

The following core restrictions apply to Tier 3- or very high on the Covid-alert system:

• Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant.
• Wedding receptions are not allowed.
• People must not meet anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting, or at home or in a public space.
• The “Rule of Six” applies in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
• People should try to avoid travelling outside the ‘very high’ area they are in, or entering a ‘very high’ area, other than for things like work, education, accessing youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if they are in transit.
• People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a ‘very high’ area, or avoid staying overnight in a ‘very high’ area if they are resident elsewhere.

How has Warrington been affected by Covid-19?'

Warrington has recorded 743 coronavirus cases – at a rate of 354 per 100,000 people.

The figure soars well above England's overall rate of 187.4 per 100,000 for the same period, but a slight drop on the previous week so far.

The Cheshire town also saw 10 further deaths from coronavirus in the last week – while hospital admissions to Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals rose by 10 in the seven days to 18 October on the previous week.

Local leaders agreed a financial settlement to enter Tier 3 lockdown with the government worth £5.9m.

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Conservative MP for Warrington South, Andy Carter, said this was proportionate with the financial settlements for other tier three areas.

The council said £1.68m of the funding package would be allocated to supporting its public health response, including testing and enforcement.

It said £4.2m would be used for business and employment support.

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