News
Greater Manchester lockdown rules change again tonight
Everything you need to know…
Pubs and bars which do not operate as a restaurant must close as well as further restrictions on household mixing.
After several days of back and forth negotiations Greater Manchester has now been put into Tier 3 of the governments lockdown system meaning stricter rules will be put in place from Friday 0:01.
Andy Burnham has described the Tier 3 proposals ‘fundamentally flawed’ as he tried to push for a fairer financial support package for affected workers.
It’s been a confusing couple of weeks for the people of Greater Manchester so here’s everything you need to know about the new rules…
Pubs & Restaurants
The main change from Friday will be pubs and bars which do not serve food will close. Places can only stay open if the operate as if they were a restaurant, which means serving ‘substantial meals’ such as a main lunchtime or evening meal.
Businesses which are allowed to stay open will have to abide by the national 10pm curfew. People in Greater Manchester must not meet socially with friends and family indoors in ANY setting.
Leisure and close contact services
Leisure centres and gyms are currently allowed to remain open. Hairdressers are also allowed to continue trading. Libraries and community centres can also remain open.
Along with tourist attractions and performing arts venues. Both essential and non-essential retail, as well as places of worship can continue to stay open, following further Tier 3 restrictions on social contact.
Casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, adult gaming centres and soft play areas must also close in Greater Manchester, as Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Meeting friends and Family
There will also be a ban on meeting people outside your household or support bubble in a private garden and in most outdoor public spaces.
The places which people can meet up outside in groups of no more than 6 are as follows; parks, beaches, public gardens, allotments, outdoor sports facilities and playgrounds.
The following can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens; registered childcare providers including nannies, people in a support bubble and people in a childcare bubble.
Unfortunately you can no longer visit a care home unless due to exceptional circumstances.
Work & School
Education remains open. Officer workers who can effectively work from home should continue to do so. Those working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go to work where necessary.
Weddings & funerals
It’s ok to meet for funerals, up to a maximum of 30 people but you mustn’t mingle whilst there. Wakes and other commemorative events are permitted with up to 15 people present.
Weddings and cicvil partnership ceremonies can take place with up to 15 people in Covid secure venues. Wedding receptions must not take place.
Moving House
You can still move house in a very high alert level area. Estate agents and removal firms can continue to operate and viewings can continue to take place.
Travel
The government has advised that people do not travel to and from Greater Manchester.
Additional guidance has been given to students who ‘must not move back and forward between their permanent home and student home during term time – subject to limited exemptions set out in law.’
People can continue to travel into or out of these areas if it’s for work or education, to access youth services or because of caring responsibilities.
Residents in Tier 3 should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK and others should avoid staying overnight in the area.
All restrictions in Greater Manchester will be reviewed by at least November 11th 2020. The current rules are ‘basement measures’ and the government can seek to agree additional measures.
Visit the government website for more information.
A boy has been left in critical condition in hospital following an incident with a police van last night.
The 11-year-old was struck by a police van in Lancaster on Thursday night, May 25th, as the van was attending a call.
Lancashire Police say the vehicle was en route to an emergency call when the collision happened.
The boy was crossing Owen Road just before 8:30 pm when he was hit, and was transported to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in a critical condition.
A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this time.
“An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances that led to the collision.
“We have voluntarily referred this matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard with an incident of this nature.”
Google Maps
The IOPC said in a statement: “We have declared an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Owen Road, Lancaster at around 8.30pm tonight, in which a child has been injured.
“We understand that a marked police van, with its lights and sirens on, was in a collision with an 11-year-old boy.
“We were notified by the force shortly after the collision and declared an investigation at 10.37pm. IOPC investigators are heading to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.”
According to the IOPC, the investigation is in its early stages.
News
Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
‘Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow’
Sam Smith has cancelled their upcoming shows due to a vocal cord injury and issued a statement telling fans, ‘I’m so sorry’.
The singer had to call off their Gloria Tour show, mid-way through, at Manchester AO Arena last night (Wednesday May 24th) after experiencing ‘vocal issues’.
The lights went off and fans waited in darkness for a number of minutes as speculation circulated on social media, with many wondering if there had been a ‘power cut’.
Moments later, after just four songs, a packed-out arena was told the show unfortunately had to be called off.
Afterwards, Sam, 31, issued a statement on their Instagram stories to tell fans — who had missed out on a ‘surprise’ that was supposed to be at the end of the show — how ‘sorry’ they were.
Today, Thursday May 25th, the ‘Unholy’ singer has issued another statement after calling off upcoming gigs.
On their Instagram stories, the star wrote: “Due to vocal issues during last night’s Manchester performance, regrettably we will be cancelling the rescheduled Birmingham and Glasgow Sam Smith shows.
“Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
“A spokesperson said ‘Doctors have advised due to a vocal cord injury, Sam must have complete vocal rest’.
“Sam is heartbroken to have had to cancel these shows but they have been told by doctors that if they keep singing, they will do permanent damage to their voice.
“If they take some rest they will be able to perform again. I’m so sorry.”
Sam already had to push back the Birmingham and Glasgow gigs after suffering from a virus several weeks ago.
After calling off last night’s show at Manchester’s AO Arena, Sam wrote on their Instagram story: “Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.
“During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.”
The pop singer added: “I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t.
“I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.”
News
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
Shannon’s family have been informed
A body has been found in a river in the search for a missing woman from Lancashire.
Police searching for Shannon Canning from Lancaster say they have found a body. The 24-year-old had been missing from home since the early hours of Friday May 19th.
A search operation was launched to find the young woman who did not turn up for work at Tipple bar on Friday afternoon.
Public appeals for help were launched by her family and the police force, who said they were concerned for her welfare as the disappearance was out of character.
Lancashire Police have confirmed the body of a woman was found in the River Lune near Halton on Wednesday afternoon, May 24th. Shannon’s family has been informed.
Patrols were increased during the week and specialist divers joined the search yesterday. Officers were called at around 4.20pm Wednesday afternoon when the discovery was made.
A statement from Lancashire Police said: “Sadly, officers searching for missing Shannon Canning have an update, following a body recovered from the River Lune.
“We can confirm that we were called today (May 24th) at around 4:20pm to a report that a body had been found in the River Lune, near Halton.
“Specialist search teams have subsequently attended the area and can sadly confirm that the body of a woman has been recovered.
“Although formal identification has yet to take place, we believe the body to be that of missing Shannon Canning.
“Shannon’s family have been made aware of this sad development and our thoughts are with them at this upsetting time.”
Boy, 11, left in critical condition after being hit by police van
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Piers Morgan and TikToker who went in stranger’s homes get into heated argument live on air
Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
