Coronavirus: Greater Manchester declares major incident

Illustration of COVID-19, created by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

A major incident has been declared by Greater Manchester authorities following a rise in coronavirus infection rates.

As of Thursday 30 July, Greater Manchester, and neighbouring regions East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, have been placed under new lockdown restrictions.

You cannot mix with other households (apart from those in support bubbles), in private homes, gardens, pubs, cafés, restaurants and other leisure or entertainment settings.

You should not: meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden - except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in law) - visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas, or socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/135756/new-restrictions-for-local-residents-in-place-from-today
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/135757/new-lockdown-restrictions-your-questions-answered

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which is made up of the 10 Greater Manchester councils, said the public should be "reassured" that the guidelines remain unchanged.

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: “This move by Greater Manchester’s Strategic Coordination Group is simply to enable our public agencies to access any additional resources they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. The public should be reassured that the guidelines announced by Government on Thursday remain unchanged.

“This is no more than a boost to our capabilities at what is a challenging time for people in our city-region. It is absolutely appropriate for us to maximise our resources in the drive to reverse the spike in infection which we have witnessed in the last seven to 10 days.

“The more we stick to the new guidelines and drive the R rate down, the quicker they will be removed. Please do not visit someone else’s home or garden unless you have formed a support bubble. Do not meet outdoors in groups of more than six. Please wash your hands thoroughly and as often as possible.

“Let’s not act selfishly and instead keep the health of our loved ones and neighbours in mind at all times.”