Prime Minister Boris Johnson has addressed the nation today to impose a curfew on England’s pubs and restaurants, plus other new updates to the current rules.
Mr Johnson addressed the House of Commons starting at 12:30pm, where he confirmed the latest updates.
The latest rules could be in place for six months, according to the Prime Minister, who warned people ‘not to be complacent’ as the virus poses a threat.
The new rules are being put in place due to the rate of Covid-19 spread, something Mr Johnson said is not just driven by more testing but also due to an increasing positivity rate.
He added that the Covid alert level increased to four yesterday, ‘so this is the moment when we must act’.
From Thursday evening pubs, bars and restaurants in England will be required to close by 10pm. They will also be required by law to only provide table service to help issues regarding social distancing.
Mr Johnson will be addressing the nation in a TV announcement at 8pm this evening.
From 28 September people will be required by law to self-isolate, those breaking the rules face fines starting at £1,000, increasing up to £10,000.
10pm curfew & table service only in hospitality venues
The curfew rules used in some areas which are in local lockdown are set to be rolled out across the country. This means all hospitality and leisure venues will be forced by law to close between 10pm and 5am, including pubs, bars, restaurants, bingo halls, cinemas and takeaways (which will be allowed to make deliveries but not to have customers in the takeaway).
There is also expected to be tougher enforcement for pubs and restaurants when customers are found breaking the rules. Mr Johnson said: “to help the police enforce this rule that means, alas, closing not just calling for last orders, because simplicity is paramount.” Last orders must be called at 9:30pm.
The hospitality industry will also be restricted by law to table service only from Thursday as well as the new curfew rules.
‘Back to work’ replaces ‘work from home’ with immediate effect
Brits have been urged to return to offices for the past few months, however, the message from the government has now shifted to work from home if and where you can.
Office workers are being asked to work from home but for those people who need to go to work they should continue to do so in a Covid-secure way.
Fine increases
Failing to wear a face covering or breaking the rule of six has previously resulted in a £100 fine, however this has now been doubled to £200.
Additionally, the £10,000 fines that were already in place for people who don’t quarantine will now be also applied to businesses.
Face coverings
The requirement to wear face coverings has now been extended to include retail staff, and all taxi users (including private hire vehicles) from Thursday. From Monday, all staff and customers in indoor hospitality, except when seated at a table to drink or eat, must wear a face mask.
Follow Social Distancing
The Prime Minister is expected to continue to emphasize ‘hands, face, space’. Furthermore, the capacity on weddings, from Monday, has now been reduced to 15 people. 30 people can still attend a funeral.
The rule of six has now been extended to indoor adult team sports, although five-a-side football has been removed from this.
Delay to certain sectors re-opening
From October 1st, there is a further delay on opening indoor concert venues plus a halt on the trials of spectators returning to sport events.
W Hotel & Residences Manchester / Relentless Developments
Exciting first look images are revealed for the hugely anticipated £400 million five-star hotel and residency set to open in 2027.
Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments has announced the St Michael’s development, currently being built between Deansgate and Albert Square, will be bringing with it a world famous hotel brand
The St Michael’s plot, soon to be home to luxury W Hotels and W Residences, will be the first outside London and one of 20 around the world, in a major deal with Marriott International.
Relentless Developments
The glossy new arrival will see hotel-inspired living offered at St Michael’s 217 apartments, offering buyers the opportunity to purchase a permanent residence within Manchester’s most exclusive postcode.
The iconic 41-storey tower will boast a 162-room hotel, with the tower also housing W Residences, a complex of 217 apartments which will be offered for sale from November, with occupancy also in 2027.
The live-in residences will also boast the facilities of the W Hotels, including 24-hour concierge (W’s whenever/wherever service), round-the-clock in-residence dining, laundry and dry cleaning, as well as the hotel’s gyms and other features.
Relentless Developments
“W Hotel and W Residences are going to put the distinctive 41-storey tower that is No.2 St Michael’s on the global map,” said Neville, Director, Relentless Developments.
“There is no better home for W Hotel in the North of England than Manchester.
“This is a bold city which continues to defy expectations and which embodies the same values of originality and passion that have made the W Hotel experience world-renowned.
Relentless Developments
“Situated alongside this, W Residences Manchester will be immersive, design-forward homes that will set a new standard in hotel-inspired living and massively raise the bar for city-centre home ownership.”
“I’d like to thank Marriott International and our developer partner, Salboy, for seeing the potential in this scheme and remaining committed to our vision,” he added.
The two Police Constables shared their stories of bravery on TV this week, resulting in their Pride Of Britain This Morning Emergency Services Award nominations.
PC Amy Greenwood based in Bury and PC Paul Spinks from Trafford, went above and beyond their call of duty.
PC Greenwood’s nomination is for her actions during an incident on Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. While on response, she was called to an incident in the early hours, which was initially believed to be a domestic incident.
Greater Manchester Police
Upon arrival things were not as they seemed when officers spotted a car. Amy calmly spoke to the driver to determine the circumstances of what had happened but it was quickly established the driver was intoxicated.
Footage recorded at the time showed the dramatic circumstances where Amy was dragged alongside the car 100-metres down the road as she held on for her life as the intoxicated driver tried to leave the scene.
After realising Amy was being dragged by the car, the driver stopped before being pulled out of the vehicle by Amy and her colleagues where she was arrested.
Thankfully, the terrifying ordeal didn’t result in any serious injuries, as Amy got away with grazed knees from being dragged at speed.
Robert Wade (Wadey) / Flickr
But the emotional and mental turmoil from the adrenaline rush was an altogether bigger battle.
Reflecting on the incident, PC Greenwood said: “When working on response you don’t really know what type of jobs you are going to come across. At the time I was just trying to cling on for my life, so I didn’t roll under the car.
“After what felt like a lifetime, the rest of the incident seems like a blur. Thankfully I had great colleagues who looked after me and were quick to respond once it unfolded. It all went from one extreme to another after having an initial conversation with her that seemed to be going well.
“I have no animosity towards the driver, she is a mother like myself, and I just hope she is getting the support and help she needs to turn her life around.”
Greater Manchester Police
District Superintendent Arif Nawaz, added: “I have immense pride and satisfaction to have someone like Amy as a part of our team.
“She embodies the true essence and spirit of what an officer needs to be at Greater Manchester Police and putting the public safety over her own safety to ensure we were able to bring someone to justice is a true testament to her character and attitude.”
The suspect who was later arrested received a three-month custodial sentence as a result of her reckless actions on that night.
PC Spinks has been recognised for his actions as he tackled a man wielding a machete outside a school in Salford during term time in May, 2022.
Greater Manchester Police
Paul was off-duty at the time and was not wearing any protective uniform or equipment, he put his own life at risk to ensure that people of Manchester were safe.
Speaking of his experience, PC Spinks, said: “I did what any other police officer would do in that situation by using my training to step in. Taking one knife off the streets is one more in the right direction.”
Detective Superintendent Alicia Smith of GMP’s Trafford District, added: “Paul is a credit not only to our district, but also to Greater Manchester Police as a whole, and it is a privilege to have him serving alongside us.
“I believe his actions and quick thinking that day stopped serious harm coming to innocent members of the public and he put other’s lives ahead of his own – going above and beyond the call of duty and his brave actions should be recognised.”
Kyle Hackland was stabbed to death in broad daylight in South Manchester last year, as all four teenagers have now been named.
Kyle, who was 17 at the time, was stabbed to death in a violent attack at around midday, in Withington, back in November 2022.
Today, four teenagers have been sentenced for over 70 years between them, with three found guilty of murder and one found guilty of manslaughter.
Tafari Kosey-Smith and Alfie Benson can now be named after they were both jailed following the six-week trial.
Kyle Hackland / Greater Manchester Police
Yousef Sesay was sentenced to 22 years, Lewis Ludford for 21 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article) and Kosey-Smith for 19 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), after all were found guilty of murder.
Whilst Benson was jailed for 12 years (with two years concurrent for burglary offences) after being found guilty of manslaughter, at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today, on Tuesday October 3rd.
Kyle was murdered in a revenge attack after Sesay was robbed by Kyle’s friend of around £1,000 during a drug deal the day before.
Those sentenced drove around the area in a stolen Volkswagen Golf looking to seek revenge when they came across a Mercedes vehicle which they wrongly believed was connected to Kyle’s friend.
Yousef Sesay / Greater Manchester Police
The group attacked the vehicle with weapons by smashing the windscreen before continuing their hunt when within minutes they came across Kyle and his friend walking along Southlea Road.
His friend subsequently ran from the scene leaving Kyle alone with the entire incident being captured on CCTV.
One of those carrying out the chilling attack could be heard shouting loudly ‘chef him’ on four occasions, immediately before Kyle was brutally attacked with knives.
Lewis Ludford / Greater Manchester Police
The violent assault on Kyle continued by three of the four before returning to the waiting car which was driven away at speed by the other member of the group, leaving Kyle to collapse on a driveway where members of the public tried to save his life before emergency services responded to the scene.
Despite everyone’s best attempts, Kyle sadly died a short time later at hospital as a direct result of the catastrophic injuries inflicted on him.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Moores said: “This is another heart-breaking example of how carrying a knife can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds.
Tafari Kosey-Smith / Greater Manchester Police
“Our thoughts as a force are once again with Kyle’s loved ones who will have to continue to live with the pain, but hopefully this can be eased in some way with the conviction of his killers.
“Officers in our Major Incident Team have worked tirelessly to bring justice, and, in our role, we are reminding any young person willing to carry a knife to put it down and think twice before doing so. It is not worth it and can ultimately cost yours and other people’s lives.”
Paying tribute to him around the time of the incident, Kyle’s family added: “We are devastated by the death of our beloved Kyle.
Alfie Benson / Greater Manchester Police
“He was such a kind and well-mannered young boy who always looked out for his family – never failing to say ‘love you’ as he walked out the door.
“There are no words that can even begin to describe the pain we feel. We have always been such a close family, and this has shattered us all.
“He will forever be missed as a beautiful son as well as a caring and helpful big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. Life will never be the same without him, we are completely broken.”
If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately. Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.