Everything you can and can’t do under new lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester

As of midnight last night (July 30th), local restrictions were placed on residents of Greater Manchester, including no longer allowed to mix with other households.  

The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said the changes have been imposed due to people not observing social distancing.

Speaking to the media, Hancock said: “We’re constantly vigilant and we’ve been looking at the data and unfortunately we’ve seen across parts of Northern England an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus,”

The changes, that has also been put in place in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Leicester is estimated to affect four million people. 

The measures mean different households cannot meet inside, this includes in homes or private gardens.

You are not allowed to visit someone else’s home or garden, even if they live outside of the affected areas.

You are also no longer allowed to visit indoor public venues such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions with people you do not live with. 

You are allowed to still visit the pub for instance with the people you live with but the advice states you should avoid interaction with others. 

Those who have formed a social bubble are still permitted to meet with the support bubble including, visit each other, stay overnight and visit other public places as if one household.

The police will be allowed to take action against anyone caught breaking the new rules. They can ask people to disperse and issue penalty notices that start at £100 but half to £50 if paid in the first 14 days. 

The national guidance on meeting outdoors in public spaces is still in place. This means you can meet people in groups of no more than six people outdoors unless the group includes people from two households. 

This sadly means that for those celebrating Eid will no longer be able to host or visit friends and family in each other’s homes or gardens while the new rules are in place.

Up to two households (or six people) can meet outdoors (excluding private gardens) where there is a lower risk of infection but you should continue to socially distance from those you do not live with and avoid physical contact. 

Additionally, the visiting of friends or family in care homes is no longer permitted.

The new rules still advise that people should continue to travel in and out for work, and workplaces must implement COVID-10 guidance.

Weddings and funerals can still take place but should be limited to no more than 30 people subject to COVID-19 secure guidelines. 

Travelling in a car with people you do not live with is also now advised against. If absolutely necessary, open windows for ventilation, travel side by side or behind people, clean your car and wear face coverings.

Find out more here. 

The local areas affected include:

• Greater Manchester:
  • City of Manchester
  • Trafford
  • Stockport
  • Oldham
  • Bury
  • Wigan
  • Bolton
  • Tameside
  • Rochdale
  • Salford
• Lancashire:
  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Burnley
  • Hyndburn
  • Pendle
  • Rossendale
• West Yorkshire:
  • Bradford
  • Calderdale
  • Kirklees