By Eric King-
Preston has joined east Lancashire, Greater Manchester and parts of west Yorkshire in facing lockdown measures, it has been announced.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the restrictions from midnight, following a rise in Covid-19 cases and requests from the local authorities.
The announcement comes as number of people in England testing positive for coronavirus is said to be reducing according to a household survey by the Office for National Statistics.
After a low in cases at the end of June, it estimated infections had risen slightly in July.
Restrictions include banning separate households from meeting each other at home.
Any changes to the measures will be announc sad by 14 August following a review next week, Hancock added. The decision to extend the restrictions to Preston was “at the request of the local area”.
The new restrictions in Preston forbid people from different households from meeting in homes or private gardens.
It also bans members of two different households from mixing in pubs and restaurants, although individual households will still be able to visit hospitality venues.
The restrictions allow residents to meet in groups of up to six – or more than six if exclusively from two households – in outdoor areas such as parks and beer gardens.
The tightening of measures only applies to those living within the boundary of Preston City Council and not residents of South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council with a PR postcode.