Government urged to avoid 'knee jerk' lockdown measures but maintain tighter restrictions in Greater Manchester

explained why Trafford and Bolton will now stay under existing Greater Manchester coronavirus restrictions.The government U-turn comes 'following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days', says Health and Care Secretary Matt Hancock.The boroughs were due to be released from additional Greater Manchester measures, along with Stockport, today.In a statement, Mr Hancock said the decision was based on figures which showed that infection rates had doubled in

near 100 per cent increase in case numbers in the last week.

after car thieves twice ran over a dad who tried to stop them stealing his partner, Collette Kunyo's, Audi A6 S line from their home in Middleton.

here"I agree with the Government that it’s important for people to begin to return to the office to support our city and town centres. But ordering people back and stoking up the fear factor is the wrong way to go about it."Apart from the extra anxiety it may cause to those already worried about redundancy, it risks an unplanned rush back to work for which we don’t have capacity on public transport.

remain in place in Oldham - which still has the highest infection rate in the region.Residents there can no longer socialise with anyone outside their household and can only use public transport if essential.Wigan, which has the lowest infection rate, remains lifted out of the increased measures.Meanwhile Salford, Bury, Manchester, Tameside and Rochdale all remain in local lockdown.Residents in these areas must continue to adhere to the rules which prohibit two households from meeting indoors or

Manchester Evening News understands. A senior source confirmed the news, which was later announced by the government on Friday evening.It means people will soon be able to visit friends and family members in different households and more businesses will be able to reopen in the town.

Manchester Evening New that the borough will no longer be subject to the extra regulations which have applied to the region for the past month.The government is yet to confirm when the change will come into effect.It means people living in the borough will once again be allowed to socialise in groups of up to two households indoors.They will also be able to stay overnight at somebody else’s home - but must try to social distance.The relaxation means they can also book close contact services such

hereIt is understood restrictions will be lifted next week.

In a U-turn on Tuesday, the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said the government had changed its stance on the wearing of face masks in school settings.

Coronavirus rates are now lower in Greater Manchester than they were at the start of the local lockdown, with the latest data suggesting a regional spike in cases has been reversed.Extra restrictions on the ten boroughs in the region have been in place for three full weeks after being announced on July 30.At the time the local lockdown was declared, infection rates were rising in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, and this trend continued broadly for the first two weeks after the measures

the Manchester Evening News understands.

published by NHS England, includes hospital discharges from March 20,  the first day of national lockdown, until August 9.

The government said it will continue to monitor the situation and keep all restrictions and easements under consideration as the decision was prompted by new cases of coronavirus reducing.But the current rules banning gatherings in private homes and gardens will NOT be eased in Leicester, nor in Greater Manchester or parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire.The announcement means Leicester's nail bars, beauty salons, tanning booths and salons, spas and beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo parlours,

For thousands of students, the last five days have been nothing short of a nightmare.A controversial algorithm grading system adopted by the Government, left many students receiving their A-level results in turmoil.Almost 40% of results were downgraded last Thursday, meaning scores of students were rejected from universities, and left with uncertainty about their future.But following a major backlash from students, teachers and even Tory MPs, grades will now be reversed and based on teacher's

Up to 6,000 children who normally would have been referred to social services in Greater Manchester have potentially been missed during lockdown.Social care professionals are calling for a change in approach to tackle the ‘hidden harm’ faced by children who are stuck at home with abusive family members while schools remain closed.Alison Alexander, the CEO of children’s services support organisation Cornerstone, said referrals have dropped in many parts of the UK by 50pc, and by up to 75pc in

Here are all the rules in the region.Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app -download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter -subscribe here. And you canfollow us on Facebook here.

Greater Manchester's biggest breweries and pub chains have pleaded with punters to behave responsibly as the region's local lockdown measures continue.The government announced today that restrictions on social gatherings will continue for at least another week, banning people from meeting members of other households indoors - including inside pubs and bars.Groups of up to six people from any number of households - or larger groups from no more than two households - are still allowed to socialise

Greater Manchester's local lockdown will continue.Stricter rules on social gatherings announced last week will continue here, in West Yorkshire and Leicester. But Preston has also been added to the list of places where households are banned from gathering in the homes and gardens of others.

Matt Hancock has announced.It means the stricter rules on social gatherings - announced last week to tackle an increase in coronanivirus cases - will continue here and in other parts of the North West, West Yorkshire and Leicester. The decision comes following a review of all the local lockdowns yesterday (Thursday) by government and the local authorities which showed no evidence of a fall in the recent rise of cases per 100,000 people in each of the affected areas.