Manchester City Council have detailed a list of noteworthy points in relation to the prevention of a second outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Manchester.
Health officials from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have recently released a list of ‘seven things you need to know’ about Manchester’s COVID-19 outbreak prevention plans going forward.
In a question and answer-style statement via council website last week, David Regan – Manchester’s Director of Public Health – explains the role of COVID testing data and postcode analysis, early warning systems, and the approach to preventing any future outbreaks of the virus.
He addressed a number of frequently-raised questions/points by members of the public and offered some clarity for those who may be feeling somewhat in the dark.
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What is Manchester’s current position on COVID-19 cases and what if that number starts to rise?
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Mr Regan stated that in the Manchester city region, “we are still seeing a small number of positive cases” arising each day, but “the number remains relatively stable at the moment”.
He confirmed that Manchester is currently eighth lowest of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs – based on the total number of positive cases for population size – but this does not however mean that “we can be complacent because we are still dealing with a pandemic where the situation can change quickly if people don’t follow advice”.
He also stated that the “tried and tested” method of weekly postcode data would be looked at “to assess where the numbers relate to and what it means” should the number of confirmed cases rise, which would allow health professionals the ability to see from that local detail if the numbers related to a business, school or care home – or if they are separate cases on a particular street.
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If transmissions rates change significantly in the future, Mr Regan confirmed that Manchester City Council “would work with the rest of Greater Manchester and central government before taking any major decisions”.
Is the NHS Test and Trace service helping in Manchester?
Mr Regan stated that NHS Test and Trace is “for the greater good to protect us all” and is “without a doubt how we will beat the disease and keep it under control”.
He also reiterated that the importance of getting tested if you display symptoms cannot be underestimated.
He clarified that NHS Test and Trace “will not pass individual personal details between contacts. It will operate on a trust basis and the Test and Trace team will help each individual to understand what it means to them and whether or not they need to self-isolate”.
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We spoke with Manchester's Director of Public Health, David Regan, to ask him some questions about coronavirus.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 10, 2020
He also addressed the measures currently being taken in public places.
“We are also asking places like libraries, pubs and restaurants to record people’s details – which would then be destroyed after 21 days – to help with this process” he said.
“So, if I was in a restaurant where it found that someone then tested positive, the restaurant would be able to help the tracing service by saying who could have been in close contact. That doesn’t mean that everyone who was there that night would have to self-isolate – but it does mean that there would be a proportionate, safety-first approach.”
How likely is a second wave and will flu season make dealing with the pandemic harder?
With regards to the likelihood of a second wave, Mr Regan indicated that authorities would need to look back at other pandemics with second waves, like the Spanish Influenza and Swine Flu, in order to answer that.
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He said: “it’s the size of the wave – or waves – that’s important” and that “we have to keep them as small as possible to protect lives and also to make sure our health and social care services don’t become overwhelmed.”
“If we all follow the rules, we can keep our economy and schools open while functioning effectively – and avoiding another 12-week lockdown situation.”
Addressing the concerns surrounding the management of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in relation to the pending flu season, Mr Regan added that “autumn and winter are when we always see a rise in illness like flu and norovirus and we have to be prepared for that too”
He continued: “COVID-19 is a new virus and it’s going to be difficult to predict, however we do absolutely know that testing and tracing works very effectively.”
“And that is how we will contain the disease.”
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Closing out his statement by issuing a message to the people of Manchetser, Mr Regan went on to thank “everyone who lives and works in our great city for all you have done to date to help during the pandemic”.
He also reiterated the need to “keep following the guidance” so that we can “all tackle this together.”
For more information, visit the Manchester City Council website here.
#StaySafeSaveLives
News
Manchester ‘institution’ Topkapi Palace quietly closes Deansgate restaurant after 47 years
Danny Jones
After the best part of half a century, local institution Topkapi Palace looks to have quietly closed the doors to its Manchester restaurant.
Founded way back in 1969, Topkapi has been a mainstay of the Deansgate strip longer than most other venues in the area, but many have noticed that it hasn’t been open for a little while now.
After plenty of speculation online, it now appears to have shut down for the foreseeable future.
It remains to be seen whether or not this is a permanent culinary casualty, but judging by the paper signs now displayed in the windows, things don’t look promising for the Turkish grill.
As posted in the shopfront of the restaurant, an update from Wilson and Doe High Court Enforcement says: “Under the terms of the demised lease, we, as authorised agents on behalf of the landlord, have to this day re-entered the premises known as Topkapi Palace…”
It also warns that any attempts to enter the building will result in criminal or civil proceedings.
The statement goes on to read: “Acting as agents for the Involuntary Bailee, we give notice to any third party who asserts ownership of the Goods to which this notice relates:
The goods identified at Topkapi Palace (Part Ground Floor and Basement), 205, 206 and 209 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3NW are being held at the Property.
The Goods are ready for collection immediately, and this is a notice of your obligation to take delivery of the Goods at a mutually convenient time to be agreed and arranged with the Involuntary Bailee’s agents
Unless the Goods are collected on or before 17:00 on 10 April 2026, the Involuntary Bailee or its agents will remove and dispose of the Goods. The period between now and the Deadline is sufficient to provide you with a reasonable opportunity to take delivery of the Goods.
If the Goods are disposed of, the Involuntary Bailee intends to retain its disposal costs from any sale proceeds.”
As you can see, multiple units are listed in the forfeiture notice, including the address assigned to their takeaway sister site located just around the corner on Bootle Street, although it’s still unclear whether or not this way will stay open.
Somewhat of an institution in its own right, plenty of Mancs will have visited the late-night street food spot even if they have never sat down for a meal in the Topkapi Palace itself.
Posting on the Manchester subreddit last week, one user wrote: “I noticed that Topkapi Palace on Deansgate had shut down, I was gutted!”; another went on to add: “Oh dear – I hadn’t realised this.
“I always enjoyed the food, but it was often quiet during the week more recently, and that end of Deansgate is now prime territory for expensive bars. I doubt the unit will stay empty very long.”
Topkapi’s apparent closure is just one of several in and around the city centre already this year, with several hospitality names having to cease trading due to rising energy bills, business rates, rent and various other reasons. Here’s hoping the sector regains a bit of stability sometime soon.
Manchester Airport offers reasoning as it’s named the UK’s worst airport for flight delays
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has been revealed as the UK’s worst airport for flight delays, according to the latest figures.
But now, the airport has offered its reasoning in defence – saying it was ‘out of [our] control’.
According to annual analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the Press Association (PA), as reported on in many major news outlets like BBC, Sky News, and ITV, Manchester Airport came in last place – with flights running, on average, 19 and a half minutes behind schedule last year.
Manchester Airport – which is the third busiest airport in the country, and the only airport outside of London to have two runways – was used by more than 32 million people last year, and despite its placing at the bottom of the rankings again, did manage to at least secure a 30-second improvement compared to 2024.
The analysis took into account scheduled and chartered departures from the 23 commercial UK airports, with at least 1,000 outbound flights last year, and cancellations were not included.
These latest figures arrive as Manchester Airport is currently in the middle of revamping Terminal 3, and after having recently completed an extensive transformation of Terminal 2.
Manchester Airport offers reasoning as it’s named the UK’s worst airport for flight delays / Credit: MAG
Offering a statement in defence of its placement in the CAA rankings this year, a spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “Punctuality is affected by factors that are outside of an airport’s control.
“The two most significant factors contributing to delays in the last year have been industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe, and the weather.
“These were exacerbated by airspace restrictions above conflict zones meaning airports with significant long-haul networks, like Manchester, were more significantly affected than others.”
Top 10 worst UK airports for flight delays
Manchester – 19 minutes, 30 seconds
Birmingham – 18 minutes, 42 seconds
Bournemouth – 17 minutes, 18 seconds
Southampton – 16 minutes, 36 seconds
Gatwick – 16 minutes, 24 seconds
Newcastle – 15 minutes, 48 seconds
Leeds Bradford – 15 minutes, 36 seconds
Stansted – 15 minutes, 36 seconds
Edinburgh – 15 minutes, 24 seconds
Teesside – 15 minutes, 6 seconds
Other airports finding themself towards the bottom end of the rankings include Birmingham, with averaged delays of 18 minutes 42 seconds, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Gatwick.
Northern airports like Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, and Teesside also rank low.
On the flip side, however, in a win for the North West, Liverpool John Lennon Airport had the most punctual flights out of any major UK airport – with an average delay of nine minutes and 24 seconds.
The Manc -
20th July 2020 
