A North East town may face a local lockdown if a spike in coronavirus cases continues to rise, its residents were warned today.
Middlesbrough is being forced to send in 'hit squads' of officers checking on premises to ensure social distancing is being followed after 40 cases in four days.
Local businesses have been urged to act now in order to avoid the threat of new restrictions in the coming weeks. Mayor Andy Preston says he fears the town is "on the fringe of something serious" as he urges people to act responsibly.
Council officers will visit pubs and restaurants and could use legal powers to close premises that are putting staff and customers at risk.
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