Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today announced the UK government’s COVID Winter Plan ahead of England’s second national lockdown coming to an end on 2nd December.
He announced the plan during an address to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Mr Johnson revealed that the combined actions of the public to adhere to national lockdown restrictions over the past three weeks have been “making a difference” in curbing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), but that “we are not out of the woods yet.”
The end of England’s national lockdown on 2nd December was formally announced.
The COVID Winter Plan seeks to provide a new blueprint to fight the pandemic and looks to not only save lives during the winter, but also prevent an anticipated Commons revolt by rebel Tory MPs.
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All non-essential shops, gyms, leisure facilities and hairdressers will reopen across the country when the lockdown ends.
Weddings and collective worship will also be allowed.
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The “rule of six” will also be returning across the country, meaning people will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public.
The Prime Minister confirmed that England will enter into a revised and strengthened tier system – which he indicated is required to be stricter than before the national lockdown as the scientific evidence suggested those restrictions did not keep the R number below – and will apply “the toughest measures where COVID most prevalent”.
The new three tier system will see:
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Tier 1– People continue to work from home where possible.
Tier 2 – Only pubs serving “substantial meals” can open.
Tier 3 – Hospitality will be required to close – except for delivery and takeaway – and indoor entertainment venues must also close.
Spectator sports will also be able to resume in Tier 1 & 2, with limits on attendance.
The Prime Minister said he is “very sorry” for the “hardship” caused to business owners.
He confirmed that the tiers will now be a “uniform set of measures” with no local negotiations, and with regard to the 10pm curfew – which critics claim did more harm that good – he confirmed that last orders will now be 10pm, with one hour to finish drinks, and a final close at 11pm.
People in England will also be able to travel abroad for holidays once again from 2nd December, although they will remain subject to quarantine rules.
A scrapping of the self-isolation period for COVID contacts was also announced.
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In his address this afternoon, Mr Johnson did not however provide any further information on the proposed Christmas ‘break’ announced over the weekend, although government ministers are reportedly believed to be working on plans for three households and a five-day break – from Christmas Eve to 28th December – subject to agreement from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments.
An announcement – which will confirm how many households will be able to bubble together at Christmas, or how long the break in restrictions will last – is currently planned for tomorrow.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning that a final decision “hasn’t been made”
He said the government will “confirm it when we have that agreement across the four nations”, and added: “We’ve agreed in principle that there should be a set of rules that applies across the board that is balanced, that allows a little bit more freedom, but is still safe.”
Mr Johnson is due to announce which tier each part of the country will be placed into on Thursday.
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It has not yet been indicated at this point how long the revised three tier system will be in place for, and whether areas will enter into different tiers depending on case numbers.
The COVID Winter Plan can be accessed in full here.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.