Greater Manchester heading for ‘Tier 2’ restrictions – with pubs serving food to remain open
Greater Manchester will be placed in Tier 2 restrictions – where residents mixing indoors will be banned but pubs serving food will remain open – according to a local MP.
Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement regarding new restrictions for England later this afternoon (12 October).
The Prime Minister is expected to elaborate on the government’s new ‘tier system’ – whereby each region will be ranked in terms of risk level.
It was feared that Greater Manchester could be included in Tier 3 – which would see all hospitality forced to close.
But Jim McMahon, the Shadow Transport Secretary and Labour & Co-operative MP for Oldham West & Royton said Manchester’s status as a Tier 2 region had been confirmed via a call with Matt Hancock earlier today.
Writing on Twitter, Mr. McMahon said: “Call with the Secretary of State confirms GM will be placed in Tier 2 with household restrictions on meeting indoors in any setting, but not outdoors
“Pubs serving food remain open.
“Oldham will be removed from its enhanced lockdown measures and brought into line with GM *at last*”
Lucy Powell, Labour & Co-op MP for Manchester Central, said the news had come as a “huge relief”.
“We are very grateful that our calls for locally lead action have been listened to,” said the MP on social media.
“This will come as a huge relief for many businesses in Manchester who have been working incredibly hard to make their premises safe and compliant.”
Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, called it a “big result.”
“This could change though,” he warned.
“So, we will continue to keep our legal challenge ready, in the event that it does. We will not support any closure without scientific evidence.”