Matt Hancock confirmed the new restrictions tonight.
Residents of Greater Manchester may no longer meet with other households indoors, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed.
Speaking about the regulations tonight, Hancock confirmed there has been an “increasing rate of transmission” identified across a number of Northern towns and cities, with Oldham facing stricter advice earlier this week as a result of a surge in cases. Hancock added that the reason for the increased transmission rate was a result of “households meeting and not abiding to social distancing”
The Health Secretary continued: “We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe,”
The new restrictions will apply to Greater Manchester, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Rossendale.
Andy Burnham said of the increased cases: “I ask all Greater Manchester residents – young and old alike – to protect each other by observing these new requirements,
“They will be reviewed weekly; meaning the more we stick to them, the quicker they will be removed.
“This is a place which prides itself on looking out for each other. We now need to be true to that by not acting selfishly and keeping the health of others in mind at all times.”