Andy Burnham has joined calls to shut schools in England as part of the second national lockdown – claiming that a temporary closure could bring casesdown enough for Greater Manchester to enjoy “some kind of Christmas.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester suggested that sending children home during the final two weeks of November may help prevent lockdown being dragged on into the festive holidays.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons announced that England would re-enter lockdown for a four-week period beginning on November 5.
A key difference between this ‘stay at home’ order and the one enforced in March is that education facilities remain open this time around.
Schools, colleges and universities have all been encouraged to operate as normal, whilst many other premises close.
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But Mayor Burnham said he wanted to see schools shut for a “period” in order to “create the conditions” for Christmas.
“I remain of the view a circuit break needs to be a true circuit break if it’s to have the effect it needs to have to re-set things,” Burnham said at a press conference on Sunday,
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“It’s my view we do need to have a period of closure in our schools if we are to get those cases right down and avoid a scenario where large parts of the North West are simply put back into Tier 3.”
The Mayor added: “I would suggest a period of two weeks’ closure towards the second half of November so that schools have time to prepare online learning, but that would create the conditions for the biggest drop in cases that we could achieve and it would then create the conditions for some kind of Christmas for more families because they need it right now.”
The National Education Union (NEU), the biggest teaching union in the UK, has also called for the nationwide closure of schools (with exceptions for the “vulnerable” pupils with key workers parents).
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NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “We are worried this will just lead to another lockdown later. We think it will not work if schools are not included.”
The new lockdown rules for England, which come into effect on Thursday and will be in place until at least December 2, state that:
There will be no mixing of households anywhere in the country, except for in cases where childcare and other forms of support are necessary.
Pubs, bars and restaurants must close
Non-essential shops must also close
All outbound international travel is banned, except for work
Gyms must close
Travel within the UK is discouraged
Schools, however, are set to remain open until the Christmas holidays.
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Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Featured Images — Manchester City/Neil Mellor (via X)
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Public warned not to approach wanted man last spotted in Piccadilly Gardens
Daisy Jackson
Police have launched an appeal to trace a wanted man who absconded during a visit from a secure unit.
The public are being warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith, who also goes by the name Aemon Martin.
A confirmed sighting of the 60-year-old at a Tesco Express on Piccadilly Gardens was caught on CCTV at 8.30am yesterday morning (30 April).
GMP is now assisting with Lancashire Police’s appeal after enquiries traced him to Manchester city centre.
Smith absconding during a visit to Preston on Thursday 25 April and was caught on CCTV on Bank Street in Rawtenstall the following day.
Shaun is described as white, with grey hair, a slim build, a beard and moustache.
He was last seen wearing a hat, cream jeans, grey/red t-shirt, grey cardigan, black coat, black trainers and a backpack.
CCTV images and a photo of Smith’s face have also been released by police as part of the appeal to trace him.
But if spotted, the public are urged ‘do not approach him’ and instead report sightings urgently to the police.
Smith has links to Blackburn and Accrington town centres, but is believed to be in the City Centre area of Manchester.
GMP said: “We’re asking the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to us and if you see him, please do not approach him but contact us on 999 quoting Log 1118 of 30/4/2024.”