Greater Manchester leaders urge Government to lift ‘unfair’ restrictions on Wigan
Addressed to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the letter urges the Government to make the residents of Wigan exempt from the current rules - which prevent people from meeting other households indoors.
Mayor Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester council leadershave written a letter to the Government asking them to ease restrictions in the town of Wigan.
Addressed to Matt Hancock, the letter urges the Health Secretary to make the residents of Wigan exempt from the current rules – which prevent people from meeting other households indoors.
The Mayor has said that “at this point the restrictions are unfair on people.”
?️ "In the case of Wigan, I support @WiganCouncil in saying that at this point the restrictions are unfair on people," says Andy.
"I'll be asking the Secretary of State to release Wigan."
Today following Greater Manchester’s Emergency COVID-19 Committee, Leaders & @MayorofGM@AndyBurnhamGM agreed correspondence to be sent to the Secretary of State @mhclg to urgently urge Government to extend the evictions ban set to be lifted on Monday 24th August.?????? pic.twitter.com/k0cpibcex8
The 7-day rate of positive tests is substantially lower in Wigan than any other Greater Manchester borough – with the town recording 9.4 per 100,000 people in the week ending 15/08.
The Government is also being asked to look at allowing certain businesses, such as beauty parlours, to reopen in every borough except Oldham.
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“We’ve taken a proper look at the evidence with regard to spread, and we don’t believe those businesses are adding to spread,” said Mayor Burnham.
Oldham remains the worst-affected of all boroughs, but council leaders are hoping to avoid a local lockdown after infection rates came down from 109.7 to 83.1 in the space of a week.
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Burnham added: “For the first time, we are now saying that the measures appear to be working,”
Infection rates have fallen in Bolton, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside according to the most recent data.
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Bury, Manchester, Salford and Trafford, on the other hand, have experienced a rise in positive tests.
Measures are set to be reviewed again in the coming days.
News
Manchester United legend Denis Law has died aged 84
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United legend Denis Law has sadly died aged 84, it has been announced.
The Aberdeen-born footballer was a prolific striker throughout his career, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United – the club he signed for a then-British record transfer fee back 1962, before departing in 1973 – and also playing for Manchester City too for two separate spells during the 1960-61 and 1973-74 seasons.
Law was an integral part of United’s triumphant record-setting 1968 European Cup winning campaign, was the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, and also the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford.
But, he previously announced in August 2021 that he had sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YuwjMXKgxn
A formal statement confirming Law’s passing by his family was announced by Manchester United this evening: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“The ultimate goal-scorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Advice issued as ‘quademic’ of winter bugs continues to take hold in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to get any vaccinations they are due done, as a ‘quademic’ of winter bugs runs rife.
Cases of flu, Covid, norovirus and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are continuing to take hold across the country, and here in Greater Manchester.
The city is seeing more flu cases and hospital admissions than usual for this time of year.
So now health chiefs are urgently reminding eligible people to get their flu jabs and other vaccinations, to protect themselves and others.
Mancs are also being reminded to follow key public health advice, such as frequent hand washing and staying at home when you’re ill.
The flu vaccination drive runs until the end of March and people who are eligible for it can get it from their GP, pharmacy or one of the city’s walk-in clinics, where no appointment is needed.
Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said: “Our advice is very similar to recommendations made during the Covid pandemic.
“It’s really important to keep washing hands well and regularly; cough or sneeze into tissues or your arm; wipe down key communal surfaces like handles on doors; and where possible, stay at home if you are ill to avoid passing on any infections.
“And, in addition to this we would urge anyone who is also feeling financial or food pressures to ring our free cost of living advice line on 0800 023 2692 or text on 07860 022876.”
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care, at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester people are well-known for how they look after one another – and passing the flu message on could save lives, as well as unnecessary illness at a time when people face many pressures.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to have their vaccination, so please do go to our walk-in clinics if you are 18 and over and eligible for the vaccine. No appointment is needed: it’s quick, easy and done by teams who want to help you.”
The Manc -
20th August 2020 
