Wirral and the wider Merseyside region has been classified as an 'area of intervention', with local restrictions imposed on the area, it has been announced.

New rules affecting the borough will come into effect from Tuesday (September 22).

The special measures include:

  • Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens;
  • Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only; and
  • Late night operating hours will be restricted, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10pm to 5am.

Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:

  • Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
  • Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

These new measures will be kept under constant review to reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.

Cllr Janette Williamson on behalf of Wirral Council said: “We did not want to have to see these measures introduced in Wirral or anywhere else but given the significant rise in the number of positive tests in recent weeks it is unavoidable.

“There is a clear link between the increased risk of transmission and the numbers of people gathering together in private homes and hospitality areas and the measures are designed to minimise those contacts.

“Along with our partners, we are committed to doing everything we can to protect our most vulnerable, whilst still permitting businesses to trade and keeping children in school. These measures will help us to do that.”

The council is already engaged in a Wirral-wide engagement exercise with local businesses to support them in understanding the evolving rules and guidance and help them to become ‘Covid-secure’.

The aim is to give customers confidence that all the required procedures are in place, which will make their operations safer for visitors as well as their own staff.