GATESHEAD has been confirmed as one of the local authorities that, from midnight, will have stricter lockdown restrictions.

Most residents felt that the extra restrictions would not change much in the town.

Gabriel Curle, 19, a student originally from Carlisle moved back to Gateshead last week.

He said: "To be honest we kind of expected it, with what we'd heard. 

"We're uni students, to be honest the restrictions are not as bad as we thought. 

"10pm closing times seems reasonable - we don't go out that late anyway. 

"We moved in on Monday and nobody is bothered by it - I'm not worried."

All residents in Gateshead were also sent a letter last week warning people of the sharp rise in cases.

Dated, September 9, the letter said: "Unfortunately we have witnessed a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks and these present a significant concern. We need to act quickly to ensure that it does not get out of control.

The Northern Echo:

"This is not a time for complacency - we must all continue to work together to protect ourselves, protect others and protect our Gateshead."

The letter then gives safety advice.

George Hunter, a Gateshead resident, said: "I think it's all a shambles. I think the government have no idea what's going on. I'm very skeptical of the whole coronavirus thing. I don't have it, I don't know anyone who has had it.

The Northern Echo:

"We're not being told the truth. I don't believe in the whole thing. I think it's a cover-up for something else - maybe the economy going broke."

The tough new restrictions include a ban on households mixing with other households, a curfew on pubs, restaurants and bars, and restrictions on non-essential public transport. 

Gateshead Council was approached for comment, at the time of writing they had not yet responded.