Isolation period for people with coronavirus symptoms to be extended
Pockets of new cases have surfaced in recent weeks across the UK, prompting ministers to prolong the quarantine period for those experiencing symptoms in a bid to bring numbers back down.
The self-isolation period for anyone suffering from coronavirus symptoms is expected to be increased from seven to 10 days.
Pockets of new cases have surfaced in recent weeks across the UK, prompting ministers to prolong the quarantine period in a bid to bring numbers back down.
Current rules state that anyone suffering a persistent cough, loss of taste/smell and/or fever should be tested and self-isolate for seven days.
This is expected to be extended to 10 days for people in England.
According to the BBC, it is “unclear” whether Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow suit.
Several regions have been forced to bring in extra measures since lockdown lifted, including Blackburn, Oldham, Wrexham and Staffordshire.
Oldham and Blackburn have warned residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.
The army have been drafted in to set up extra testing centres in Wrexham.
Outbreaks in Staffordshire has been linked to a pub in Stone – which resulted from around 200 people packing into a beer garden.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty, is expected to confirm details of the extended isolation period later on today (30 July).
Outbreaks in Europe have also raised discussions of an incoming second wave – although the World Health Organisation have said there is no evidence that COVID-19 will follow a similar pattern to seasonal flus.
Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, suggested that coronavirus could be ‘one big wave’ – which will continue to go ‘up and down’.
“The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet,” she stated.
An increase in cases in Spain has seen the UK Government add the nation to its red list – meaning any arrivals in Britain will now have to quarantine for 14 days.
However, there are ongoing discussions to reduce this quarantine period, which may see a standard 10-day isolation introduced for those showing symptoms and people entering the UK from at-risk countries.
News
Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend.
The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.
#APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses following the recovery of the body of a woman from Strinesdale Reservoir, #Oldham, on Sunday 17/8/25.
Any info? 📞 police on 101 quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or contact @CrimestoppersUK.
Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information.
“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.
Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.
Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons / Geograph
News
New £350m sustainable neighbourhood in Stockport given the green light
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for a new ‘walkable and sustainable’ neighbourhood in Stockport town centre.
A major milestone has been reached for Stockport’s transformation, as the new mixed residential mini-village, ‘Stockport 8’ – which was put forward by the local LLP of the same name, set up as part of a partnership between Stockport Council and ECF (English Cities Fund) – has been given the green light, helping to make it one of the most sustainable and liveable town centres in the UK.
The eight-acre site is just one in a series of regeneration projects led by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), as part of ambitious plans to develop land west of the town centre under the ‘Town Centre West’ (TCW) scheme.
The development is a key element of the wider £1 billion investment currently being delivered.
The plans were recommended for approval at Stockport’s central area committee at the end of July, and were then approved at planning committee last week (14 August).
A new £350m sustainable neighbourhood in Stockport has been given the green light / Credit: Supplied
Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the historic viaduct, the £350m mixed residential neighbourhood – which includes many affordable properties – is expected to ‘breathe life’ back into what was once a ‘thriving’ area under the railway arches, connecting Stockport Interchange with nearby communities in the process.
The plans will deliver approximately 1,300 new high-quality homes to suit existing residents and new homeowners moving into the Greater Manchester town in the next decade.
There’ll be be a mix of residential properties, including build-to-rent and owner-occupier – with a range of sizes to meet the needs of different households.
The development is also centred around ‘vibrant’ public spaces where people can meet and relax outdoors, helping to improve the wellbeing of residents, while a pedestrian-only street will run through the centre, again to encourage interaction.
“We’re not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach at Stockport 8,” explained Catherine Chilvers, who is the Managing Director of Stockport MDC.
“Instead, we are investing in high-quality and energy- efficient housing that offers so much more for people at all stages of life.
“The development sets the bar high for town centre living, creating a considered neighbourhood for residents along with leisure and employment opportunities, while outdoor squares, with a multitude of uses, will allow people to feel connected and enable families to grow.”
The Manc -
30th July 2020 
