THE government has released a short rationale for why it has placed the entire North-East region under Tier 3 restrictions once the national lockdown comes to an end.

Every council area across the region will see the strictest tier imposed, which includes pub and restaurant closures and a ban on mixing of households indoors, and in most outdoor places.

READ MORE: Every area in the North-East to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions next week 

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock today confirmed that restrictions for councils would be reviewed on December 16, and then every seven days going forward.

READ MORE: Live updates as entire North-East region to be placed into Tier 3 

But a summary for the decision to place the North-East into Tier 3 has been posted online by the government.

When explaining the rationale behind placing the Tees Valley Combined Authority Area - which covers Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland - the government said cases still remained 'very high.'

The government said: "While case rates are now decreasing in all lower tier local authorities, they remain very high at 390 people per 100,000 across the region, with positivity also very high at 13.3 per cent.

"The case rate in over 60s remains very high at 292 per 100,000. NHS admissions in the area have remained high in November."

Meanwhile a summary explaining the decision to place the North-East Combined Authority area - which covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, South and North Tyneside and Northumberland - said cases were also still 'very high.'

The government said: "The region continues to see very high case rates, overall 318 people per 100,000, although this figure is either stable or falling in all parts of the region.

"Case rate in over 60s remains very high at 256 per 100,000. NHS admissions in the area have remained high in November."

Earlier today, the seven councils in the north of the region said they were beginning to see the effects of the four-week lockdown.

READ MORE: North-East councils say four-week lockdown has worked as region goes into Tier 3​

In a joint-statement, the leaders of councils in County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Northumberland, urged residents across the seven council areas to continue sticking to the rules to "allow" the region to eventually move into Tier 2.