THE second review into coronavirus measures currently in force across the North-East is set to take place next week.

A review into whether the region will remain under Tier 3 restrictions will take place on Wednesday, December 30 - two weeks after the first.

The rules, which currently include the closure of pubs, restaurants and cafes - except for takeaway, will be decided and come into force in the New Year.

It could either see the region moved into Tier 2, where the hospitality sector is allowed to reopen, Tier 4, where non-essential shops must close, or rules stay as they are.

It comes as the Government recently placed London and much of the South-East under the newly-created Tier 4, now the most severe tier of restrictions.

In this tier, all non-essential shops must close and residents are restricted to meeting up with one other person from outside their household outdoors.

They are also banned from travelling into other areas across England unless for work or education purposes and are not permitted to travel abroad unless in exceptional circumstances.

Last week, council leaders in the north of the region urged residents in the North-East to "act responsibly" as it emerged rules would still be relaxed here for one day.

READ MORE: Warning to 'act responsibly' over Christmas in bid to come out of Tier 3 in New Year

In a joint-statement from the leaders - representing County Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside and Northumberland, residents were urged to "consider" their plans to avoid a spike in cases.

At thew time, they said: "The Pfizer/Biontech vaccine is being rolled out into communities and this week we have seen some of our residents, aged over 80, invited to be vaccinated in GP surgeries, which is tremendous progress.

"But this will be a long process and we all need to be patient.

"That is why we are asking everyone to carefully consider their plans and actions over the festive period."

They went on to say: "Just because the law says we can all meet three households over five days, doesn’t mean we should to choose to do so.

"Increases in social contact and household mixing over Christmas could see infections rise steeply again in the New Year so we must act responsibly to supress the virus.

"Of course, we understand people wanting to see each other but we also want families to be able to see each other and celebrate future Christmases, birthdays and family events.

"For the sake of yourselves, your loved ones and the wider community please continue to follow all the guidance. Hands. Face. Space. And book a test if you have symptoms."