This is what Matt Hancock has to say about some restrictions being eased in Greater Manchester

coronavirus are not subject to a 'legal requirement.' In an interview with Times Radio on Thursday, the Health Secretary appeared to confuse matters when he said: “If the app tells you to self-isolate, then you should self-isolate."But if an NHS Test and Trace contact tracer tells you, then you must by law.”Asked whether that was complicated to understand, he said: “Not really, it is really straightforward.”Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free

Manchester Evening News' political editor, Jennifer Williams, also appeared on The Andrew Marr Show to talk about the new support payment, which will be "welcomed" in Greater Manchester.

Matt Hancock has warned that the country is facing a “big moment” as coronavirus hospital admissions continue to rise.The Health Secretary said it is vital that people follow the rule of six, or the more stringent measures imposed here in Greater Manchester.“It is deadly serious,” he told Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday (September 18).“The results of not doing so will be that this goes more out of control and we have to take more stringent measures which have a bigger economic impact and

Police and firefighters are to be used as contact tracers in bid to dodge Greater Manchester lockdown.The proposals are contained in a letter sent to Matt Hancock by the mayor today Greater Manchester plans to use the police and fire service to track down thousands of people being missed by the national test and trace service as it seeks to stave off any kind of ‘blanket lockdown’. It also wants to provide its own temporary ‘self isolation’ fund for people who cannot afford to stay at home due

here"Of course, as I have said repeatedly, there are operational challenges but thousands of people every day are being tested in Manchester in order to get a grip of the outbreak there."Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, raised issues around local contact tracing in Greater Manchester and accused the government of 'still not getting the basics right'."I don't underestimate the challenges that the health secretary has faced over the last few months," she told MPs."But

coronavirus infection rates soar in the last few weeks. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust both recorded one more death.The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Friday, September 11, currently stands at: Meanwhile in Greater Manchester, the latest figures show there are sharp increases in coronavirus infection rates in every single borough.

Andy Burnham has slammed health secretary Matt Hancock for the way the government has announced a string of new coronavirus restrictions affecting Greater Manchester.The region’s mayor says the approach has kept local leaders in the dark and led to ‘anxiety and confusion’ among residents.He said he fears ministers are in danger of ‘losing the public’ and is calling for a return to daily briefings led by expert scientists and medics.Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mr

Have your say on the local lockdown measures in our survey:"Of course the national measures which were announced yesterday will come into force in Greater Manchester, it's very important that people follow them."We took further action in Bolton.

One Manchester student said he cycled 13 miles and visited three different testing centres before eventually managing to get a coronavirus test.Many trying to access a test online have been met with the error message: “This service is currently very busy. More tests should be available later.

coronavirus cases.The latest data on coronavirus infection rates shows an increase in every Greater Manchester borough except Trafford.Bolton's rate continues to soar and has now reached 121.7 cases per 100,000 people.On Friday (September 4) health secretary Matt Hancock said that the easing has been made possible due to the hard work of 'residents, communities and local authorities', to bring infection rates down.He announced that casinos, bowling alleys and other leisure facilities can re-open

hereThey include Neil Traynor, 37, of Mosspark Road, Stretford; Frances Henderson, 21, of Alan Road, Withington; Meredith Dickenson, 22, of Liverpool Road, Manchester; and Hamish Haynes, 46, of Quarry Clough, Stalybridge.All have been bailed with conditions to appear at Liverpool Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on January 8 and 13.Their bail conditions include not to enter Merseyside and not to contact any witness or News International employees by self, servant or agent.Get breaking

in addition to a household mixing ban indoors, residents will continue to be advised to avoid mixing with anyone from another household anywhere.

The mayor of Greater Manchester has spelled out how he believes tighter coronavirus measures should be lifted across the city-region.Andy Burnham has called for an end to ‘crude blanket restrictions’ that are becoming ‘less effective’ despite initially helping to stop rising infection rates.A ‘more sophisticated’ exit strategy which puts local leaders at the heart of decision-making has been proposed, with Mr Burnham arguing that they are better placed to know when to impose tougher restrictions

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

just as it tips into the ‘red’ category for infection levels, the threshold for which is 50 cases per 100,000.

'sudden, concerning and unpredicted', has prompted council and health leaders to call an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning. Separate government figures show there were 40 new cases recorded on Thursday in Bolton.

will continue to be advised to avoid mixing with anyone from anther household anywhere. This is because it still has the highest infection rate in the region.

will continue to be advised to avoid mixing with anyone from anther household anywhere.