Greater Manchester along with The Midlands, the North East, Lancashire, Cheshire and parts of the South West of England will go into the toughest Tier 4 of coronavirus restrictions from Thursday, the Health Secretary has announced this afternoon
The announcement puts 78 per cent of the population into the highest restrictions
He said that the Oxford vaccine means the day on which restrictions are lifted can be brought forward.
“It brings forward the day on which we can lift the restrictions that no-one in this House wants to see any longer than are absolutely necessary.
“But we must act to suppress the virus now, not least because the new variant makes the time between now and then even more difficult. And so whilst we have the good news of the vaccine today, we also have to take some difficult decisions.”
Tier 4 sees people being told to stay at home, and only travel in and out of their local area for very specific, legally permitted reasons.
All non essential shops will have to close and all indoor leisure facilities as well as hairdressers and nail bars should close.
The government had been forced to impose tougher COVID-19 restrictions on parts of England because of the “sheer pace” of the spread of a new variant of the virus said the Prime Minister.
He also urged people to stay at home on New Year’s Eve to contain the outbreak.
“We must face the reality that the sheer pace of the spread of this new variant requires us now to take even tougher action in some areas,” Johnson told a news conference.
“I must ask you to follow the rules where you live tomorrow night and see in the New Year safely at home.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“The new strain of coronavirus is cause for concern and the enhanced restrictions should be followed judiciously to limit the spread of the variant, which we know passes more readily between people.
“The prospect of Tier 4 will be received once again as a critical blow to the city’s hospitality industry – along with wider retailers who will also now need to close – and whose resilience to the economic impact of the virus is wearing ever thin.
“It is clear that businesses will not be able to survive indefinitely if they are forced to close. Remember that Manchester has been living with enhanced restrictions since March with little respite, and the key question is what further support can businesses expect from Government if they are asked to continue to shut up shop at a crucial time in their trading year.”
