11 pictures from South Tyneside’s first day in Lockdown 2 as the borough stays at home

Nearly eight months after the the UK was first locked down in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid-19, non-essential shops, restaurants and leisure facilities have closed their doors again.

Thursday, November 5, marks the first day of the four-week lockdown in England which will run until Wednesday, December 2.

Members of the public have been told they must remain at home other than for specific reasons, including essential shopping, travelling to work and exercising.

On Wednesday, November 4, the NHS move to its highest state of alert and it is hoped that the lockdown will help medical professions cope.

South Shields’ empty streets are in stark contrast to photographs taken just 24 hours before, which showed scores of people doing some last-minute shopping in the town centre.

Here is what the town looked like on day one of the new lockdown.