Rochdale at risk of hospitality lockdown as rate hits five-month high

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Changes could include food and drink businesses opening only for takeaways, limited opening times, and a restriction on meeting outdoors

The borough of Rochdale is at risk of further restrictions due to a worrying rise in coronavirus cases.

Local officials have warned the borough may follow in Bolton’s footsteps where the hospitality sector – including pubs – has been closed down again to help bring the virus under control.

The borough of Rochdale’s infection rate has risen to 65.9 per 100,000 people - the borough’s highest figure since 24 April, at the height of the pandemic.

Rochdale is already under local restrictions along with other Greater Manchester boroughs but the council is concerned the measures are not working.

Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal across England from Monday (14 September), following a large rise in coronavirus cases. The Prime Minister is expected to give further details of the changes at a Downing Street press conference at 4pm on Wednesday 9 September:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136441/groups-of-more-than-six-banned-in-england-from-14-september-following-large-rise-in-covid-cases

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are very concerned about the lack of improvement in figures in our borough.

“At the moment the majority of our cases are people under 40 without symptoms but trends across the world show this ultimately leads to the spread of the virus to older, more vulnerable residents which leads to hospitalisations and sadly deaths.

“We need people to follow the rules currently in place so that we don’t have to introduce stricter measures.”

Changes could include food and drink businesses opening only for takeaways, limited opening times, and a restriction on meeting outdoors.

Current local restrictions mean that everyone should:

• Do not meet people from different households either indoors or in private gardens
• Keep two metres apart at all times
• Avoid physical contact with anyone outside your own household, including shaking hands or hugging
• Do not share a vehicle with anyone outside your household
• Only visit venues such as bars, pubs, restaurants and places of worship with your own household or support bubble
• Wear face coverings in shops and all public places, as much as possible
• Get tested even if you don’t have symptoms and isolate if you are told to do so
• Do not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances