IT promises to be another significant day in the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson is set to lay out plans to further curb the spread of the virus as scientists say England is reaching another tipping point with winter in sight.

What is being announced today, October 12?

The Prime Minister is set to detail a new three-tier system of restrictions with measures expected to force pubs, gyms and casinos to shut across the north of England and see millions of people banned from mixing indoors and outdoors.

Different parts of England will be split up into 'medium', 'high', or 'very high' local Covid-19 alert areas under a new three tier system Boris Johnson is expected to announce on Monday.

The classification of areas will determine what type of 'appropriate interventions' are to be made in them to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The move comes after the Prime Minister held a telephone conference with Cabinet colleagues on Sunday to discuss the situation.

Northwich Guardian:

Downing Street said the Government is working with local leaders to determine the areas to be covered by the very high alert level, and the measures needed in those places.

Mr Johnson is chairing a top level COBR committee meeting today on the issue 'to determine the final interventions' he will then announce to Parliament.

MPs will be asked to debate and vote on the measures later this week.

The Prime Minister will also hold a press conference in Downing Street with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty on Monday.

What could the new rules be?

Pubs could be shut from Wednesday in some areas, but restaurants could stay open. 

Northwich Guardian: Coronavirus pubs

Casinos and gyms could also be forced to close in areas with the tightest restrictions.

People could be banned from meeting both indoors and outdoors - so no households mixing at all.

And travel restrictions could be introduced to and from coronavirus hotspot areas banning all but essential travel. 

Local councils are being given more control, the Government has said.

The contract tracing system is potentially one way that councils will play a bigger part in trying to cut Covid-19 infection rates.

What are the current rules in Cheshire East and West?

The 'rule of six' applies, meaning no more than six people can meet up indoors or outdoors, with some exceptions.

A national 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants is also in place.

The two boroughs have so far escaped the tighter restrictions seen elsewhere in the north west.

For example in Warrington, households are banned from mixing indoors in homes or public places.

How do rates in Cheshire compare and what is the latest?

The latest seven-day rolling figures show that both Cheshire East and West are in the top 70 boroughs in England for coronavirus infection out of 315.

Cheshire West is the 61st worst hit area with an infection rate of 169.6 per 100,000 people, after 582 confirmed coronavirus cases in the seven days up to October 8.

Meanwhile, Cheshire East is the 69th worst hit area with an infection rate of 151.2 per 100,000 people, after 581 confirmed cases in the week up to October 8.

Both boroughs have seen their infection rates increase in the past week.

Cheshire West had a rate of 114.8 per 100,000 people one week ago, while Cheshire East's was 108.3 per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, Warrington has the 24th worst rate in the country at 318.1 per 100,000 people, while Halton has the 11th worst rate at 381.7 per 100,000.

Nottingham has the worst rate in the country at 830 per 100,000 people, while seven of the 10 most affected boroughs are all in the north west.

Will Cheshire East and West face tighter restrictions this week?

It is now two weeks since Cheshire West and Chester Council agreed to put the wheels in motion for new restrictions to halt the spread of coronavirus.

They agreed at a public meeting on September 28 to work with neighbouring Cheshire East Council and look for tighter measures.

Two days later, CWAC wrote to Government requesting that a ban on households mixing is imposed.

CEC has not gone as far as CWAC in requesting tighter restrictions in the past fortnight, with leader Cllr Sam Corcoran suggesting the authority is working with Government 'to avoid the need for additional restrictions'.

However, both boroughs have been added to the Government's watchlist as 'areas of concern, and reports in the national media over the weekend suggest these areas could see 'tier two' level restrictions imposed.

A report on Sky News yesterday highlighted both boroughs in a map showing where the restrictions could be imposed, which was flagged up by CWAC leader Cllr Louise Gittins on Twitter.

What do Cheshire's politicians say?

Cllr Gittins was not pleased to see Cheshire West highlighted in the Sky News report yesterday, insisting CWAC had not been consulted about the possible move.

In a post on Twitter, which was retweeted by Mike Amesbury MP, the CWAC leader said: "Looks like Government [has] done it again. Sky News reporting that Cheshire West is tier two. No discusssion, consultation or notification. I have no idea what this means for us #Disgraceful"

Cllr Sam Corcoran, CEC leader, also discussed today's announcement in a video on Twitter this morning including his hopes for an overhaul to the Test and Trace system.

He said: "Central Government does seem to be recognising that the rush to private companies was a mistake and that local government should be more involved.

"I hope that a decent test, track and trace system will be ready for when we come out of the second wave.

"I await with some trepidation the announcements predicted for today. Whatever those announcements are, I do hope that central Government will work with local government to bring the outbreak under control."

Meanwhile, Tatton MP Esther McVey is calling for an alternative approach to tighter lockdown restrictions.

Northwich Guardian: Tatton MP Esther McVey secured the meeting after raising the issue in Parliament

In a comment piece in the Express over the weekend, she wrote: "If you look at the rate of infection per 100,000 in Manchester or Bradford, Bolton or Bury you will see they have increased whilst in lockdown.

"It’s madness to think the best way forward is more of the same. More lockdown, longer lockdown, harsher lockdown. Wouldn’t it be better to figure out why lockdown is not working?"

What does the Government say?

A Downing Street spokesman said: "Our primary focus has always been to protect lives and livelihoods while controlling the spread of the virus and these measures will help achieve that aim.

"We must do everything we can to protect the NHS and make sure it can continue to deliver the essential services that so many people rely on.

"This is a critical juncture and it is absolutely vital that everyone follows the clear guidance we have set out to help contain the virus."

How many patients are in hospital?

Across the north west, 180 people were admitted to NHS hospitals with coronavirus on Friday, October 9.

In contrast to other recent Fridays, that compares to 122 on October 2, 71 on September 25 and 44 on September 18.

A total of 215 people have died from coronavirus at Mid Cheshire Hospitals sites, including Leighton Hospital with the most recent death recorded last Thursday.Northwich Guardian:

Meanwhile at East Cheshire NHS sites, including Macclesfield Hospital, there have been 147 deaths, with the most recent recorded on October 1.

What about schools and colleges?

These will all remain open throughout the country, no matter whether areas are in the strictest lockdown areas.

How long could these latest rules last for?

Reports over the weekend claimed that the rules could be in place for at least four weeks and as long as six months, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Infection rates would need to drop before they would be lifted.

When will the announcement be?

Mr Johnson is expected to speak in the House of Commons at around 3.30pm. He will then give a press conference which could be at around 6pm