British health minister Matt Hancock has introduced more coronavirus restrictions across a wider area of England, including the northern city of Liverpool, extending a tighter regime to try to stem rising Covid-19 cases.

He said he understood concerns about pubs and restaurants, many of which have been hurt by the introduction of a 10pm curfew in England, Scotland and Wales to try to reduce the second wave of coronavirus cases.

“Our hospitality industry provides so much colour and life in this country,” he said.

“And we will do whatever we can to support them while acting fast to keep this virus under control. I know that these measures are hard, and that they are yet another sacrifice.”