The new restrictions come into place at midnight tonight.
Following a turbulent week of negotiations last week between Greater Manchester leaders and the government, the region has been officially forced into Tier 3 restrictions, meaning a number of businesses will be affected and rules will be slightly different for all residents as of midnight this evening. Applying to Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, Salford, Rochdale and Oldham – restrictions will be the tightest we’ve seen since early July, in a bid to reduce the infection rate across the North West.
So, what will be closing?
- Pubs and bars not serving a “substantial” food offering will be required to close at 10pm this evening under the nationwide curfew, and will not be permitted to reopen until the region comes out of Tier 3 restrictions
- Casinos
- Soft play areas
- Bingo halls
- Adult gaming centres
- Betting shops
What can’t I do?
- Meet with other households indoors or in private gardens (unless you live alone and have a “support bubble”)
- Stay overnight at another home
- Go to work if you can work from home
- Visit a relative in a care home
- Travel outside of the region, it is also recommended journeys taken via public transport be significantly reduced
What can I do?
- See friends or family, following the ‘Rule of Six’, in an outdoor setting including parks, public gardens (i.e. National Trust sites), beaches, sports courts, playgrounds, the countryside and forests
- Go for a meal at a restaurant with your household
- Visit both non-essential and essential shops with your household
- Volunteer for charity
- Attend education/training
- Attend emergency situations (including outside of the region) such as: to see someone who is dying, to attend a funeral, or to attend your child’s birth
- Have a wedding of up to 15 people with no reception
- Attend an outdoor exercise class
- Attend a protest
- Visit your place of worship
- Stay at a hotel within the region with your household
- Attend a leisure or entertainment venue with your household
- Go to the gym
- Travel in and out of the area for work or emergencies
- Go to school or university
- Move house
The rules are subject to change, dependant on the number of cases, and will remain under constant review by officials. For more information, you can see the government’s official guidance here.