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Middlesbrough is one of the latest areas of the north to be plunged into tighter COVID-19 restrictions due to rising cases. More than a third of the UK is now under heightened restrictions as the four nations buckle up for a second wave of COVID-19.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: “Earlier this week we brought in further measures in the north-east, however in parts of Teesside and the north-west of England cases continue to rise fast.”

Mr Hancock said a £7 million support package would be made available to each of the affected councils.

He also said there were “early signs” that new restrictions imposed in the past month were beginning to have an impact.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for a “rapid review” of the local lockdown strategy and urged the Government to consider whether the 10pm curfew should remain.

When does Middlesbrough go into lockdown?

Middlesbrough will be subject to new restrictions from midnight on Saturday onwards.

Residents on the boundaries of the north eastern area have expressed confusion over whether they are subject to restrictions or not.

Restrictions apply to Middlesbrough and Hartlepool – with Teeside Live advising: “If you pay your council tax bill to Hartlepool Council or Middlesbrough Council, the new rules apply to you.”

The new restrictions have been branded “unacceptable” by Andy Preston, the independent mayor of Middlesbrough.

He said he had called for new measures but said the once the Government have chosen to impose go “too far” and are “unacceptable”.

He said: “We went to the Government with fantastic, intelligent, pragmatic proposals to keep people safe, protect our society and make sure people don’t get lonely.

“We weren’t listened to… Obviously if there is a law then I will follow the law and nobody should break the law.

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“But as things stand, I do not accept these proposals – they are unnecessary, they go too far, they’ll damage mental health and they’ll kill viable jobs.”

He added: “We’re not soft on COVID here, we’re strong on COVID – but we need to find a way of living with it, working with it and saving jobs.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesperson has denied he ignores local leaders.

They said: “Our approach in tackling the second wave of the virus is suppressing the spread of the virus while keeping the economy as open as possible.”

What are the rules in Middlesbrough?

Social mixing between households is now banned across all settings – this means no meeting up in a pub, restaurant, park, home or garden.

Hospitality venues remain open – but you must not visit them with anyone from outside of your household.

Travel is permitted but only for necessary reasons – which includes travelling to work and school.

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