AS PEOPLE continue to test positive for Covid, the North-East heads into Tier 3 today. Here are the key talking points from the last 24-hours. 

  • Hundreds more test positive in North-East and North Yorkshire

A further 582 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

As of 9am, there have also been a further 13,430 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,643,086.

The Government said a further 603 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 bringing the UK total to 59,051. Read the full story here.

  • Debenhams to close for good as JD Sports pulls out of rescue amid Arcadia collapse

Debenhams is to start a liquidation process after JD Sports confirmed it had pulled out of a possible rescue deal, putting 12,000 workers at risk - including many in the North-East.

The 242-year-old department store chain said its administrators have “regretfully” decided to start winding down operations while continuing to seek offers “for all or parts of the business”.

JD Sports confirmed yesterday morning that it pulled out of talks about a possible rescue of Debenhams, which has 124 stores, following the collapse of Arcadia. Read the full story here.

  • Pubs that don't sell food to get one-off £1,000 payment

PUBS that don't sell food will get a one-off Covid support payment of £1,000, the Prime Minister has announced. 

Boris Johnson has announced to MPs that all “wet pubs” which do not serve food will receive £1,000 to “recognise how hard they have been hit” by Covid controls during what would typically be their busiest time of year. Read more here.

Can I go to the pub? Click here to find out what Tier 3 and Tier 2 mean for North-East and North Yorkshire

  • Council calls on Army to help with Covid tests

Darlington Borough Council is in talks with the Army to help it distribute 10,000 rapid turnaround Covid tests it has received from the Government to pinpoint those affected by the virus and enable others to continue working.

The authority’s health and housing portfolio holder Councillor Kevin Nicholson said the Public Health England approved lateral flow tests would prove a major boost for the borough. Read the full story here.

  • Government calls for 'common sense' as scotch egg debate rages on

​As the pub debate over a “substantial meal” rages on scotch eggs remain at the centre of the debate as Michael Gove said he’d consider the popular savoury treat a starter.

Gove appeared on Tuesday morning’s instalment of Good Morning Britain opposite hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid.

The conversation quickly moved to scotch eggs after Environment Secretary George Eustice said on Monday that a scotch egg would be considered “substantial” so that pubs could serve alcohol alongside the meaty snack in Tier 2 areas. Read more.