The leaders of the ten borough’s in Greater Manchester agree with the Government that the change in regulations provides a clear evidential basis for modest restrictions to be introduced to get the rate of infection down and down faster.
However, the Mayor and all of the Leaders have expressed concerns about the way the Government handled the communications about this change which has caused confusion and distress for our residents.
They strongly recommend that, where any future announcements of this nature are to be made, full supporting details should be available to the public at the moment any public or media statement is made.
They also believe that further clarity is needed from the Government in a number of important areas.
Hospitality businesses need clarity on their ability to continue to operate if they have outdoor areas and how many people can gather in an outdoor space in Greater Manchester – is it 30 or is it 6?
There are also areas where they want to make further calls on the Government.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that the shielding policy will be suspended from tomorrow and Government support ended. They believe this will cause considerable uncertainty and risks sending mixed messages to those shielding in Greater Manchester.
They are therefore calling on the Government to extend the shielding arrangements in the areas that are subject to intervention until these restrictions are lifted.
Councils will need additional financial support to help us deliver that additional support.
The announcement will cause further difficulties for restaurants. Given the adaptations restaurants have made at great expense there is a case for the new arrangements not applying to them. However, if the Government will not allow different households to meet in socially-distanced arrangements in restaurants, then further support will be needed for hospitality businesses that have recently re-opened.
There were originally informed that the restrictions would apply to homes and not gardens and don’t understand the reasons for the inclusion of gardens and are not convinced that this is a proportionate measure.
Finally, the ten leaders are calling for further improvements to the Track and Trace system, including the quicker escalation of cases to local areas where people can’t be contacted, the inclusion of workplace data to enable identification of potential workplace hotspots;
Financial support for those who are asked to self-isolate for 14 days but who will not be paid by their employer if they do so or fear losing their job. We need a new arrangement, agreed with employers, where all employees are able to immediately follow the request to self-isolate with full pay covered.
Speaking at this afternoon’s press conference, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said that he didn’t consider this a local lockdown – what happened in Leicester was a lockdown with businesses stopping trading,”
“We are taking these measures to actually avoid a lockdown.”
Commenting on the timing of the announcement the Mayor added:
“Last weekend the Government made a very quick decision regarding Spain, and I suppose the same was the case last night,”
“They didn’t waste any time. This situation is fast-moving and figures are changing day by day.”
