Bolton and Trafford to remain in local lockdown as Government make U-turn
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Carl Dinnen
In a Government U-turn, Bolton and Trafford will remain under existing coronavirus restrictions.
The announcement comes after local leaders across Greater Manchester said they felt "completely ignored" by the Government after lockdown restrictions were due to be eased in the two boroughs, as well as in Stockport, Burnley and Hyndburn.
The restrictions mean residents cannot meet people outside their bubbles either indoors in homes or in gardens.
The statement was released by the Department of Health and Social Care shortly after midday on Wednesday, the point at which it said the restrictions had been due to be lifted in the two Greater Manchester boroughs.
ITV News Political Correspondent, Carl Dinnen has the latest
Before the U-turn was announced, Mr Burnham had described the decision to lift the restrictions as "completely illogical" while council leaders accused ministers of bowing to pressure from Tory MPs rather than listening to local health experts.
However, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was under the impression they had already been lifted overnight.
Mr Burnham compared the Government's weekly announcements on local restrictions as "like waiting for the white smoke out of the Vatican".
But while local leaders were under the impression the easement of restrictions would be introduced overnight, Matt Hancock insisted the decision was not due until today.
The latest data for Bolton shows the weekly incidence rate is now at 66.6 per 100,000 on Sunday, compared to 18.9 per 100,000 between August 17 and August 23, it said.
The latest data for Trafford shows a weekly incidence of 36.8 per 100,000 on Sunday, compared to 17.8 per 100,000 between August 17 and August 23.
Analysis showed that new cases in Bolton were spread across the borough and not limited to a single area, community, or place of work, said the town's council.
Infections between different households appear to be the main cause of the spike, with people aged 18-49 representing the overwhelming majority of new cases, it added.
In a statement released by the Department of Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said: “Following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days, a decision has been taken that Bolton and Trafford will now remain under existing restrictions.
“This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than three times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.
“This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than three times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.
“We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks. We can bring the rates down if we continue to work together and I urge everyone to continue to play their part by following the rules – get tested if you have symptoms, self-isolate and practice social distancing.”
Ben Chapman has the latest from Bolton
Labour's Deputy Leader and MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, Angela Rayner said the Government handling of lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester has been shambolic.
“U-turning on a decision about lockdown restrictions made just hours earlier is no way to run a country," said Angela Rayner.
“The Government’s approach to managing and communicating the lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester has been shambolic. This is too important to be handled so incompetently, such a lack of clarity undermines confidence in the strategy and puts lives at risk.”
A spokesman for Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the decision to reimpose restrictions in Bolton and Trafford was "utterly chaotic".
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