A deal has been done to move Lancashire into Tier 3 Covid restrictions.

An agreement has been reached which will see the whole county move into the “very high” alert level.

Non-food pubs and bars look set to close, but gyms and leisure centres will stay open.

The county has secured £42m out of the £58.2m it was seeking as a package of financial support for businesses, the care sector and schools.

Initially, only £12m was on the table.

Lancashire will move from Local COVID Alert Level High to Very High from 12.01am on Saturday 17.

This means that new measures will come into place including:

People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events

People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue

All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals

People should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey

Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High Alert area

The adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close. Car boot sales will not be permitted 

In Lancashire, infection rates are among the highest in the country and continuing to rise rapidly. Rates are highest for those aged 16-29 at 552 per 100,000 people, while in the most vulnerable age group, those aged over 60, cases stand at 214 per 100,000 people. This increases to 594 over 100,000 for the over 60s in Burnley and 671 per 100,000 for 16-29 year olds.

Hospitalisations can occur two to three weeks after someone is infected with the virus, and the Governement is anticipating the number of patients in hospital in Lancashire to rise.

A spokesperson said: "The number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care beds has reached nearly half the number seen at the height of the pandemic earlier this year, and the latest data suggests there will be more people in mechanical ventilation beds in Lancashire within two weeks than there were in the first wave. This is as a result of infections which have already happened, rather than a prediction – underlining the need for urgent action now to prevent the epidemic in Lancashire rising even further.

"To support the local authority during this period, the government will be providing a support package. The Government will also establish a dedicated, ministerial-led taskforce with additional funding to work with Lancashire leaders to support local businesses to recover over the coming six months." 

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “An unrelenting rise in cases in Lancashire means we must act now, and we have worked intensively with local leaders to agree on additional restrictions.

“I know how heavy these additional challenges will weigh on everyday life for the people of Lancashire – but they are critical in bringing this virus under control.

“Without them, we risk the health of your loved ones, your most vulnerable, and your local NHS services. Now is the time to play your part, and we will make sure you are supported.”