The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that from the 15th June coinciding with the opening of non-essential shops, face coverings must be worn on public transport in England.

The number of people with Covid-19 in England fell to around 5,600 new infections a day from around 8,000 reported in early June, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. However, the R rate which measures the spread of Covid 19 across the nation rose and the North West’s level was above 1 meaning that the infection rate is potentially increasing in the region.

Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham expressed his fears over Government plans for local lockdowns. Speaking at the weekly Greater Manchester Press Conference, the Mayor said that he had seen little detail of what the Government was proposing adding that the concept was fraught with difficulties and that he had serious concerns about it.

Burnham joined business and transport leaders in launching a campaign to ensure that the region’s economy can reopen safely from the first coronavirus lockdown. The Safely Reopening GM initiative was a coordinated campaign across Greater Manchester aligned with the reopening of non-essential retail on 15th June and a return to work for many more people. It was designed to ensure that employers and employees are aware of the information they need to work and travel safely during the continuing pandemic.

The British Beer & Pub Association welcomed confirmation from Government that all pubs will be able to reopen from 4th July. Following a campaign by the trade association, the Government also announced that it will adopt the World Health Organisation recommended one metre social distancing guideline used in many countries across the world, along with other mitigation measures in place.

Twenty eight buildings were served a Covid-19 Prohibition notices by Trading Standards in the Strangeways area preventing the retail unit from opening until lockdown restrictions have been lifted on non-essential shops reopening.

North West Ambulance chiefs slammed the two illegal raves which took place as using up valuable resources.

The Barton Arcade Restaurant La Lunya announced it would not be reopening when Covid restrictions were lifted.

Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey was sacked from the Shadow Cabinet by leader Kier Starmer for sharing an “anti-Semitic conspiracy theory”. Long-Bailey was removed from the shadow cabinet after she Tweeted an article that included a claim the US police learned the tactics that killed George Floyd from Israel.

Salford Civic Centre was lit purple to remember George Floyd and stand in solidarity with those protesting against racism and injustice across the world. A mural paying tribute to George Floyd later appeared in Stevenson Square.

Manchester City Council revealed plans to close off more city centre streets to traffic as well as a simplified online application process and fee waiver to allow businesses throughout Manchester to apply for outdoor seating space to help them reopen safely.

A group of Manchester’s leading entertainment, retail, hotel, property and hospitality businesses spoke out against a planning application for a 23,500 capacity arena in Eastlands, concerned over the project’s impact to city centre trade, at a time of challenge for many businesses.

Divorce enquiries increased by over a fifth (42%) since lockdown measures were introduced across the UK, according to business insight from Co-op Legal Services.

Leaders in Greater Manchester marked the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy by remembering those who died and by pledging to continue to work for improved safety in high rise blocks.

Coronation Street’s cast and crew returned to work after an enforced production break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hollyoaks explored mid-life depression amongst males with two of its best-loved characters, Darren and Kyle, one of whom will lose his battle with the illness. While the storyline began before the pandemic, charities stressed the current importance of highlighting suicide prevention.

A police officer jumped into the swollen River Irwell at Clifton Country Park to rescue a woman who had fallen in. PC Fabio Milho spotted the woman in the river and acted instinctively to save her life.

Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford published an open letter to ministers asking them to keep food vouchers going for deprived children during the summer holidays. Boris Johnson’s government later U-turned on providing school meals to children over the summer after Rashford’s repeated calls.

Levenshulme Market will re-opened at the end of the month. After being closed since the middle of March, Levenshulme Market incorporated social distancing and a number of public hygiene measures meaning they were able to operate in a modified form.

MasterChef Simon Wood announced that his restaurant Wood Chester at Hotel Indigo Chester would not reopen after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Manchester-born world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury appeared to rule out the prospect of staging his third bout with Deontay Wilder in his home city. When asked about the potential location of his third and final duel with Wilder, Fury reiterated that he saw no reason not to host it in Manchester.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Emirates Old Trafford would host the England Men’s Test series against West Indies, subject to UK Government clearance to return behind closed doors.

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