Carlisle will move into Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions from midnight tonight.

Cumbria County Council has stressed that the new restrictions apply to the Carlisle local authority district, meaning that surrounding towns such as Longtown and Brampton are also included in the new restrictions.

A Government update issued earlier today on its website confirmed that Carlisle will be moved into Local Covid alert level "high".

The new restrictions mean you must not:

  • Socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
  • Socialise in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other spaces like parks (other than where specific exemptions apply in law).

Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a Covid-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law.

Schools, colleges, universities and places of worship remain open unless they say otherwise.

People should continue to:

  • wear face coverings if they can.
  • follow social distancing rules, 2 metres is best.
  • practice good hand hygiene.
  • work from home where you can effectively do so.
  • walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: "The change means that from midnight it will be illegal to meet indoors with people outside of your own household or bubble. Outdoors the ‘rule of six’ remains unchanged."

"The announcement follows rising cases in Carlisle and this week’s Public Health update which showed Carlisle overtaking Barrow borough in having the greatest number of new cases in the county.

"Barrow and Carlisle’s rates are currently higher than the national average."

The latest infection rate data shows Carlisle with 231 cases per 100,000 (compared to an England average of 170), which has risen from 176 last week.

The full list of regions currently in tier 2, and set to go into tier 2, can be found here.