HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has said residents under new lockdown restrictions should 'respect the rules' to reduce the rates of coronavirus transmission.

New restrictions will come into force on Tuesday in Warrington, as well as Merseyside, Halton, and Lancashire, excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester.

Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

Meanwhile, 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 and 5am.

Announcing the restrictions this afternoon, Mr Hancock said: "We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise fast in Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warrington, Halton and Wolverhampton.

"Local leaders in these areas have asked for stronger restrictions to be put in place to protect local people, and we are acting decisively to support them.

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"I know these restrictions will make every-day life harder for many, but I know that residents will work together and respect the rules so we can reduce rates of transmission.

"I urge local people to isolate and get a test if you have symptoms, follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace, and always remember ‘hands, face, space’.

"By sticking to these steps, we will get through this together.”