News
CONFIRMED: Self-isolation period reduced from 10 days to 7 with negative test
The health secretary announced the rule change late last night
People who have tested positive for Covid will now be able to leave their self-isolation three days early if they have a negative test.
Late last night, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that Covid positive people will be able to end quarantine after seven days instead of ten, by providing negative lateral flow results on day six and day seven.
Javid said the new rule would ‘minimise disruption’ caused by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, as well as ease pressures on the NHS, which has come under huge strain after a number of its workforce remain in isolation due to Covid.
Chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson spoke of the impact the isolation periods are having on the NHS, telling The Times earlier this week: “The impact on the workloads of remaining staff who are already working incredibly hard given the huge demands on the service is a major concern.
“Unlike last January, trusts are not only dealing with Covid-19 care but also seeing real pressure on emergency care, tackling a significant backlog of routine care and accelerating and expanding the vaccination campaign.”
Yet while this new guidance can be used by people who are isolating after testing positive for Covid, those who are not double vaccinated will still have to isolate for the full ten days if they are a close contact of a positive case, as is currently the case.
Officials also stressed that people should not end their isolation early if they are still experiencing symptoms.
No 10 / Flickr
Yesterday, the Prime Minister also announced that no further Covid restrictions will be implemented before Christmas, saying there is not enough evidence on the severity of Omicron, the hospitalisation rate and the impact of the booster rollout to justify tougher measures.
In a pre-recorded message posted onto Twitter, Boris Johnson explained: “The situation remains extremely difficult, but I also recognise that people will be waiting to hear if their Christmas plans are going to be affected.
“We don’t think today that there is enough evidence to justify tougher measures before Christmas.”
He added that the government will continue to monitor Omicron ‘very closely’ and that if the situation deteriorates, ‘we will be ready to take action if needed’.
We’re pleased to announce that Proper Manchester is rebranding as Finest City Guides.
As part of this change, the Proper Manchester brand, including its social media channels, will transition to the Finest City Guides name.
This is a rebrand of the existing platform rather than a new or unrelated business. The same team behind Proper Manchester will continue to operate Finest City Guides as we develop the platform under its new identity.
Previous name: Proper Manchester
New name: Finest City Guides
Our social channels and other brand assets will be updated to reflect the Finest City Guides name as part of this transition.
More from Finest City Guides coming soon.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
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