The introduction of new restrictions has left many wondering if we are walking into a second UK lockdown.

Currently cities and towns across the country are facing strict new rules aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

In Basingstoke, there are no signs of any additional lockdown measures as the county council acknowledges the spread of the virus in this area remains lower than other parts of the country.

The rate of cases in Basingstoke has increased from six to 23 in the last seven days.

But in comparison to elsewhere, this remains low. Basingstoke's rate of coronavirus per 100,000 people currently stands at 13. 

Bolton in Greater Manchester continues to record the highest rate of cases in England with 696 new cases were recorded in the seven days to September 22 – the equivalent of 242.0 per 100,000 people.

The Telegraph reported earlier this week that the prime minister is giving the UK "one final chance" to prove it can follow the current roles.

So while Basingstoke itself may avoid a local lockdown unless infections signficantly rise, there is a chance Boris Johnson could impose harsher measures. 

"The message is that ‘This is it'. We have heavy measures down the road unless we can get things back on track, rather than saying any new restrictions are going ahead. This is the last chance saloon," a Government source told the Telegraph.

The government has already shown it is unafraid to impose stricter rules as a number of cities and towns in parts of the country have gone into local lockdown.

Places in the north-west England, West Yorkshire and Wales are the latest to face new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Leeds in West Yorkshire, Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, and Wigan, Stockport and Blackpool in Lancashire had local lockdowns enforced from Saturday.

Wales’s two largest cities, Cardiff and Swansea, will follow suit the following day.

London has also been highlighted as an area of concern, and Teesside as an area of enhanced support by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The areas face the following restrictions, alongside the national “rule of six” and 10pm curfew:

– Wigan, Stockport and Blackpool (north-west England)

From Saturday, Wigan and Stockport, which had been exempt from a lockdown imposed on Greater Manchester, have the same restrictions as the rest of the region.

Blackpool, which had been exempt from restrictions in the rest of Lancashire, joins the rest of the county in having to follow the same rules.

This means residents in these three areas must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

Locals are also advised only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work, and avoid attending amateur sporting events.

The ban already exists in the city of Manchester, Merseyside, parts of Cheshire, Trafford, Bury, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Bolton, Oldham, Preston, Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle – with people also advised to avoid mixing in public venues too.

– Leeds (West Yorkshire)

Leeds follows the restrictions already in place in Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford from Saturday.

Residents in the city are banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens.

They are also advised not to socialise with anyone outside their household in public venues, including bars, restaurants and parks.

The Department of Health and Social Care said some wards in West Yorkshire were exempt from existing restrictions on gatherings introduced at the start of August, but these wards are now also be subject to the ban.

As announced this week, childcare bubbles will be able to be formed to help families care for children under 14, as long as their carers are consistent. This includes formal and informal childcare arrangements.

– Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli (Wales)

Llanelli will go into local lockdown from 6pm on Saturday, followed by Cardiff and Swansea 24 hours later.

People will not be able to enter or leave the areas without a reasonable excuse, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

They will not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with, with extended households suspended.

These areas will be added to the list of Welsh areas already in lockdown – Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.

– Areas elsewhere already in lockdown

Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands remain areas of intervention with restrictions on household mixing in private dwellings.

Stoke on Trent has been removed from the watchlist.

In the East Midlands, Leicester and Oadby and Wigston remain areas of intervention, but Corby and Northampton have been removed from the watchlist.

Blaby remains an area of enhanced support, meaning extra testing and tracing support will be deployed in the area.

In the North East, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, North Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham remain as areas of intervention.

Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland have been escalated to areas of enhanced support.