HEALTH secretary Matt Hancock has announced tougher measures for St Helens in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Thursday, he confirmed he is extending the measures introduced in North East to the Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

St Helens falls under the Liverpool City Region.

The Government will bring in regulations to prevent, in law, social mixing between different households in all settings, except outdoor public spaces like parks and outdoor hospitality.

It is recommended people should not attend professional or amateur sporting events as spectators – and only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances.

He said the rules would be the same as those announced earlier in the week for the North East.

There will also be guidance against all but essential travel. Essential travel includes going to work or school.

St Helens coronavirus infection rate has climbed to sixth highest in the country, according to the latest weekly figures.

There were 382 new cases recorded at a rate of 211.5 in the week to September 27.

That's up from 232 cases at a rate of 128.5 in the previous week.

Mr Hancock says it is critical that the whole country acts now.

He said: "Please, for your loved ones, community and country, do your bit.

"We had to take difficult decisions to suppress the virus, but they are necessary."

He added: “In Liverpool, the number of cases is 268 per 100,000 population, so together we need to act.

“We will provide £7 million to local authorities in these areas to support them with their vital work.”

Mr Hancock said that the more people follow the rules, the quicker Liverpool (City Region) and the North East can get back on their feet.

He told the Commons there was evidence that the Government’s restrictive measures “were beginning to work”.

He said: “There are also early signs that the actions that we’ve collectively taken over the past month are starting to have a positive impact.

“Today’s REACT (Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission) study from Imperial College suggests that whilst the R-number remains above one, there are early signs that it may be falling.

“We must not let up, but people everywhere can take some small hope that our efforts together may be beginning to work.

“I put it stronger than that. Cases are still rising.”

He added: “I understand how much of an imposition this is. I want rules like this to stay in place for as short a time as possible, I’m sure we all do.

“The study published today shows us hope that together we can crack this and the more people follow the rules and reduce their social contact, the quicker we can get Liverpool and the North East back on their feet."

Mr Hancock said that he would not allow the virus to “let rip” across the country.

He said: “It is critical that the whole country acts together now to control the spread of this virus, so please for your loved ones, for your community, and for your country – follow the rules and do your bit to keep this virus under control.

“By its nature, this virus spreads through social contact and so it’s had a terrible impact on the hospitality sector, who in good times exist to encourage that very social contact that we all enjoy.

“We’ve had to take difficult but necessary decisions to suppress the virus. The only alternative to suppressing the virus is to let it rip and I will not do that.”

He added: “So, while I know that many of the individual rules are challenging, they are necessary and there are those early signs that they’re working.”

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth asked Mr Hancock what he plans to do to avoid people “piling out” of pubs at the same time and causing crowds.

Mr Ashworth told MPs: “We know that sustained contact, especially in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces is a driver of infection and pubs and bars an obvious risk.

“So I heard what he said about the 10pm rule, but my concerns relate to everybody leaving the pub at the same time. What action will he take so we don’t see a repeat this weekend of people piling out into city centres, packing out public transport, sometimes all piling in to a supermarket to buy more drink?

“Now we on this side completely understand the need for local restrictions, including in Merseyside, as he has just announced.

“I think it was probably too late for colleagues from Merseyside to get on the call list this morning, but I think if they were here, they would be keen to press the Secretary of State further on the financial support for Merseyside.”