Lockdown restrictions in north-east England are to be tightened in a bid to halt the rise in Covid-19 cases
The tougher measures will affect about two million people and were announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
He said mixing between households in any indoor setting, such as pubs and restaurants, will be against the law from Wednesday.
Households in the region had already been advised to avoid mixing but the new ban will be enforced with fines.
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons that cases in the region have "risen sharply" and the rate of infections is now more than 100 cases per 100,000.
Under the regulations that came into force on 18 September, people in Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham were banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubbles in private homes and gardens.
They were also advised not to socialise with people outside of their household in any public venue, but that was only guidance and not banned under law.
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues also remain limited to table service only and have a 22:00 curfew.
Mr Hancock did not say whether visits to other households for informal childcare - such as grandparents looking after children - will still be permitted under the revised rules.
