LANCASHIRE will be placed under tier-two of the new coronavirus lockdown system.

It means things will largely stay the same for those who live in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley, with bars and pubs staying open and the 10pm curfew remaining in place.

Casinos, gyms and non-essential shops will also remain open for now.

However people from separate households may not meet with one another unless they are in the same support bubble or from within the same home.

This standardises the lockdown across Lancashire bringing wards which have previously been under increased restrictions in line with the rest of the county.

Each borough in England has been placed into ‘medium’, ‘high’ and ‘very high’ alert levels under the new restrictions, Boris Johnson announced.

Areas listed as medium will be subject to the same rules as those which currently apply across the country, such as the rule of six and the 10pm hospitality curfew.

In the high alert level, which will apply to most of the areas already subject to restrictions, household mixing will be banned indoors. Support bubbles will still be permitted, however.

The very high alert level will apply to areas causing the most concern, and social mixing will be prohibited indoors and in private gardens.

Pubs and bars will be closed in the very high alert level areas unless they can operate as a restaurant. People will also be advised against travel in and out of the areas.

Boris Johnson said: “Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the high alert level. As a result of rising infection rates, Nottinghamshire, East and West Cheshire and a small area of High Peak will also move into the high alert level.

“The very high alert level will apply where transmission rates are rising most rapidly and where the NHS could soon be under unbearable pressure without further restrictions. In these areas, the Government will set a base line of prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens and I am sorry to say closing pubs and bars.

“We want to create the maximum possible local consensus behind this more severe local action, so in each area we will work with local government leaders on the additional measures which should be taken. This could lead to further restrictions on the hospitality, leisure, entertainment or personal care sectors, but retail, schools and universities will remain open.”

The Liverpool City Region faces the toughest local lockdown restrictions in England after being placed on a “very high” alert level, Boris Johnson said.