Rochdale borough to enter Tier 4 at midnight

Rochdale will be under Tier 4 restrictions from 31 December

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced today that Greater Manchester will enter Tier 4 restrictions from midnight tonight.

This means that non-essential shops, indoor leisure (such as swimming pools and gyms), indoor entertainment and personal care sectors (including barbers, hairdressers and beauty salons) in the Rochdale borough, including Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough will be required to close.

Whitworth, which is in neighbouring borough Rossendale, is also subject to Tier 4 restrictions.

Three quarters of the population of England is now in Tier 4.

As previously, there will be exemptions - including travelling for work or education, for childcare purposes, and for exercise.

People should not enter or leave Tier 4 areas, and Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home or travel abroad (except for limited exceptions including work and education).

The official goverment advice states that people must not leave their home or garden unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ including where reasonably necessary for work, education, exercise or open air recreation and essential activities such as medical appointments and to buy food.

Where people cannot work from home, they should still travel to work, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Tighter social contact restrictions will also be introduced, meaning one person can now meet with only one other person in an outside public space. Rules on support bubbles and childcare bubbles will remain as currently, and communal worship can continue to take place.

All clinically extremely vulnerable individuals will be asked to shield if they live in Tier 4 areas. People will be sent a letter or email with advice and details of support. 

Restaurants, cafes and pubs will still be permitted to provide takeaway, delivery, drive-through and click and collect services. Takeaway must cease between 11pm and 5am, but delivery, drive-through and click-and-collect may continue during this period.