CHESHIRE East Council stress they are not yet imposing extra Covid-19 measures although the borough has been put on the government's watch list.

Both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester are now under closer scrutiny due to rising infection rates and their proximity to neighbouring council authorities where tighter restrictions are in place.

The councils have asked the government for extra measures with the suggestion that residents may be prevented from travelling from one borough travelling to another.

Cheshire East's infection rate of 51 cases per 100,000 residents has risen from 32 per 100,000 in the previous week.

But Cheshire East leader Cllr Sam Corcoran says additional measures have not been put in place.

He said: "We have been added to the government's Covid-19 watchlist due to the increasing rate of infection in the borough, the increasing proportion of tests that are positive and the restrictions that have been put in place in our neighbouring authorities.

"This does not, at this time, mean that additional restrictions are being put in place in Cheshire East.

"But we are continuing to work with Cheshire West, local MPs and government to establish what additional measures will be required to slow this increase.

"We saw further restrictions put in place in Merseyside and Warrington and these latest developments should concern us, but there are things we can each do to slow the spread of the virus."

The council leader urged people to follow the rule of six, get tested if they showed symptoms and comply with self-isolation requirements.

"We are working tirelessly to play our part in defeating the virus and to support those most affected, but we all must be prepared for more challenges ahead," he added.