A DECLINE in Covid-19 case rates is one of the main reasons why Warrington has been placed in 'tier 2' coronavirus restrictions.

Addressing parliament this morning, Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock set out the rules for each region following the Prime Minister's 'winter plan' for when the lockdown ends on December 2.

From this date, Warrington residents must not mix households indoors aside from support bubbles, with a maximum gathering of six permitted outdoors.

Pubs and bars will also remain closed unless operating as restaurants, with alcohol only served as part of a 'substantial meal' until 10pm, before venues close at 11pm.

Meanwhile, all retail, leisure and personal care services are able to reopen.

To decide which areas of the country would qualify for each tier, the Government assessed case detection rates in all age groups and in the over 60s, the rate at which cases are rising or falling, the positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken) and the pressure on the NHS.

Clinical advice about the decision to place Warrington and Cheshire in 'tier 2' reads: "Case rates are continuing to decline across Warrington and Cheshire, with a 27.4 per cent fall to 209 people per 100,000 residents, in line with the Liverpool City Region.

"However, case rates in those over 60 remain high (175 cases per 100,000 residents), though falling.

"Positivity is 8.1 per cent."

There are currently 145 parents with Covid-19 being cared for at the Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.