Coronavirus: Tier 3 status talks for northeast and Teeside paused in response to encouraging data

Talks on moving the northeast of England and Teesside into the tier 3 coronavirus alert level have been paused in response to encouraging data on cases in the areas.

Local leaders from the areas have been in discussions with government officials over the possibility of joining Merseyside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire in the toughest level of restrictions, forcing the closure of pubs, and bars and strictly limiting social contact.

But it is understood that the threat has been put on hold after indications that existing measures are having an impact in bringing the disease under control.

Talks were under way today over a possible move to tier 3 for Nottinghamshire, though no decision is expected before the end of Wednesday.

And the process of assessing West Yorkshire for possible tier 3 status continues, with civic leaders saying they have been told there will be no decision before next week.