RESIDENTS across Cheshire are being urged to ensure they play by the rules this weekend after the government introduced new legislation to try to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Cheshire has seen sharp rises in the infection rate over the past week and new restrictions have been announced that will see tighter restrictions come into force across parts of the region from next Tuesday.

Local lockdowns have been imposed in Warrington, Halton and neighbouring Merseyside, while Cheshire East council chiefs have issued a plea to stick to the guidance so the borough doesn't follow suit.

It comes after 100 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in Cheshire East in the seven days to September 12, a four-fold increase.

The four local authorities in Cheshire – Warrington, Halton, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils – are working with Cheshire Police on plans to ensure that residents, shoppers and businesses are acting within the guidelines and legislation.

It is the first weekend since the introduction of the new 'Rule of Six', meaning that people can no longer meet in groups of more than six people – whether inside or outside.

It doesn't stop people from continuing to do the things they enjoy, such as going to pubs or restaurants or socialising in other ways, but police and council chiefs are asking them to do so responsibly and in a way that minimises the risk of spreading the virus.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran said: "This is something we need to address now to avoid increased restrictions being imposed on Cheshire.

"Covid-19 remains a real threat, even more so now that it's right on our doorstep. Our best defence is to be rigorous about simple prevention measures.

"Now is not a time to be complacent, we all must think about the consequences of our actions and carefully consider avoiding situations where we are exposed to other households and larger numbers of people.

"I also want to stress the importance of self-isolating and booking yourself in for a test if you have symptoms. However, we also know that testing capacity is not adequate and I, along with other council leaders, have called for increased testing capacity for Cheshire and Merseyside."

The national lack of clarity over testing has seen Cheshire East residents being sent to sites far from from the county.

Now Cllr Corcoran wants Cheshire's local authorities to have more control over the testing programme as he claims private firms have "struggled to reach 60 percent of the contacts identified", leaving council staff "to pick up the pieces" for those who the firms have missed.

The CE leader added: "We have that experience, but the government decided to employ private firms with little experience of public health."

With the system being swamped by demand, both the Department for Health and Social Care and CEC are pleading the public to only get a test if someone is showing symptoms — with the council saying: "There has been a huge increase in the number of people seeking a test for coronavirus, partly due to the return of schools and the testing of international travellers. 

"This has put a strain on the laboratories which process the tests."

Meanwhile, Halton Borough Council chief executive David Parr, who chairs the Cheshire Community Safety Partnership, warned: "This virus is deadly. Even if you catch it and it doesn't make you feel that unwell, you could pass it on.

"Some people don't have any symptoms, so if you are not keeping your distance, or wearing a face covering you could be putting other people at risk.

"These rules are not being put in place to spoil your night out, or stop you from seeing your friends – they are there to make sure we don't go back to a few months ago when our hospitals were full and we were in a complete lockdown.

"If you run a business, shop, pub, café, restaurant or venue, I am asking you directly to do what you need to, to make your premises Covid-safe.

"If you are going out over the weekend, I am asking you to plan ahead, remember your face covering and to take responsibility for your own actions."

Superintendent Peter Crowcroft, who is in charge of planning this weekend's county-wide operation, says officers will continue to adopt the 4 E's approach – engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules, but that they will use enforcement where they have to.

This can mean a fine of £100, or even up to £10,000 for serious and significant breaches.

He said: "The new rules are clear and we all have a personal responsibility for following them to help stop the spread of a deadly virus.

"Please don't ignore them – whether that's having a large party at home, meeting friends or family in the park, or going out in the evening in a big group.

"In most situations, we'll resolve breaches without having to issue a fine. But if people just won't listen, they are putting everyone at risk and so we can, and will, take action if we need to."

Full details of the current regulations relating to Covid-19 can be found on the gov.uk website.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms of high fever, continuous cough and loss of taste or smell, get tested by calling 119 or visit.