News

Greater Manchester to remain in Tier 3 following government review

The decision on Greater Manchester was confirmed following a government review of England's tier system.

The Manc - 17th December 2020

Greater Manchester’s hopes for more freedom at Christmas have been dashed today after the first government review determined the region should remain in Tier 3.

The decision was confirmed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock a few moments ago.

The ruling means that all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester will remain under the tightest restrictions within the UK government’s three tiered system for the rest of December at least.

Watch live: Heath Secretary Matt Hancock makes statement in the Commons announcing the government review of the tier system in England https://t.co/IKnzYykxDY
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 17, 2020

Local leaders had hoped that some measures in Greater Manchester would be relaxed after a consistent drop in coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission rates in many boroughs, but the government has declared that the region will stay in Tier 3 – keeping hospitality and indoor entertainment venues closed.

Greater Manchester joins other large parts of the North West in remaining in Tier 3.

No mention of Manchester. Many of our rates are lower than Bristol and we’ve been in restrictions for longer. Yet again, it doesn’t feel like these things are fairly applied. https://t.co/JuXu5uRdJt
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) December 17, 2020

BREAKING: Greater Manchester to stay in Tier 3

After the toughest restrictions for months

Lower overall indicators than other Tier 2 regions in the UK

Next week England can mix up to 3 households, for 5 days

What a kick in the teeth for hospitality. No sense at all
— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) December 17, 2020

Big blow to a lot of northern England https://t.co/5b54vssLnZ
— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) December 17, 2020

Even though our numbers are better than either London or Liverpool's were 3 weeks ago, still in Tier 3. Unbelievable!
— Sir Richard Leese (@SirRichardLeese) December 17, 2020

The announcement of the first official tiered system review follows the decision to move London, and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, from Tier 2 to Tier 3 restrictions on Wednesday in a bid to curb a sharp rise in cases.

It also comes after it was confirmed yesterday that no changes will be made to the easing of restrictions over the Christmas period between 23rd – 27th December, allowing people to still form a ‘Christmas Bubble’ with up to three different households.

And it further follows the announcement earlier this week that it has been confirmed by public health officials that a “new variant” of coronavirus has been identified in the UK.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated that the spread of this new variant – which is believed to be similar to that found in other countries over the last few months – is growing faster than the existing variant, with over a thousand identified cases and reports of its presence in 60 local authority areas at present.

This is a BREAKING NEWS story – More to follow.

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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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