LANCASHIRE is to be placed under tier-two lockdown restrictions later this week, it is understood.

Boris Johnson is to address parliament at 3.30 this afternoon to officially unveil the Government’s new three-tiered lockdown system, which is expected to come into effect later this week.

Government sources close to the Lancashire Telegraph believe the county will be placed into tier-two of the new system, meaning a ban on household mixing indoors will be in place.

The rule will mean you cannot meet indoors in any setting with those who are not in your household or bubble, though it is understood meeting in a private garden would be allowed with no more than two separate households totalling six people.

Due to current local lockdown restrictions in place across Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, Burnley, the Ribble Valley, Hyndburn and Rossendale, the placing of Lancashire into tier-two will not have a large impact on current restrictions.

The Liverpool City Region is expected to face the tightest restrictions under the new system, which will classify regions as being on medium, high or very high alert.

Pubs and gyms are set to be closed in tier-three areas with more restrictions on household mixing indoors.

Tier One will most likely be similar to current restrictions, which include meeting in no more than groups of six, a 10pm curfew, group sport only being played outdoors and a maximum of 15 guests at wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.