Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host a press conference this evening (Monday 5 July) as the government prepares to lift remaining lockdown measures in England in two weeks’ time.
The PM is expected to address rules surrounding social distancing, face masks and working from home – which have all been subject to speculation over the previous few weeks.
According to new reports, Johnson will discuss making face coverings optional on public transport, whilst removing table service requirements at bars/restaurants and allowing festivals/nightclubs to return.
Working from home is likely to be left up to firms.
Johnson said Monday’s update would “set out how we can restore people’s freedoms when we reach step four”, before adding that the “pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks.”
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Boris Johnson to announce 👇🏼 😷 face-masks optional on transport 💻 working from home up to firms 🍺 drinking at the bar not table service 💃🏻mass events like festivals back on But still unresolved 👇🏼 💉double jabbed to quarantine? 👩🏽🎓school bubbles scrapped? (In England)
National restrictions have been in force in England since early January, having been gradually eased over a period of months.
The government had originally planned to remove all COVID-19 measures in June, but were forced to delay the reopening date to July 19 as the Delta variant of the virus pushed up cases nationwide.
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Nonetheless, ministers have repeatedly claimed the country is on track to lift more curbs later this month – although it remains unclear whether all will be permanently removed in a fortnight. Tonight’s press conference is expected to provide some insight as to what steps the government will take.
On Sunday, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick claimed that wearing masks is set to become a “personal choice” for people in England.
However, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said a “rethink” on this rule would be required, as it would put certain people in an “unfair position”.
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The Mayor stated: “I struggle to see how Ministers can drop the requirement to wear masks on public transport without causing real problems for some people who are dependent on it.”
I struggle to see how Ministers can drop the requirement to wear masks on public transport without causing real problems for some people who are dependent on it.
Those more vulnerable to infection or anxious about it will be put in a very unfair position.
The hospitality sector, in particular, is eager for updates on legislation surrounding table service, social distancing and scanning QR codes.
Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord said that the removal of such measures would be a “huge sigh of relief” for the sector.
The PM is expected to address the press tonight at 5pm.
Featured image: No 10 / Flickr
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Six teenage boys arrested following stabbing of 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre
Emily Sergeant
Six teenage boys have been arrested following the stabbing of a 13-year-old in Rochdale town centre over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a ‘serious assault’ near the Riverside Shopping Centre in central Rochdale on Saturday (29 August), and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed.
The young boy currently remains in hospital receiving treatment, while a police investigation into the incident is open and ongoing.
Two teenage boys were first arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article on the same day the incident occurred (29 August), but have since been released on bail.
Officers then made four further arrests yesterday (31 August), again all teenage boys who were arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article, with enquires ongoing.
A Section 60 and 60AA ‘stop and search’ authority was introduced in Rochdale town centre following the recent incidents in area and following reports of youths carrying weapons in the locality, and this has now been extended to 3pm today (Tuesday 1 September).
“This was a serious and sustained attack that could have had far more tragic consequences,” explained Detective Superintendent, Richard Hunt .”Our team of experienced detectives is working around the clock to understand exactly what happened, identify all those involved, and secure the strongest possible evidence.
“We will relentlessly pursue every lead available to us and will leave no stone unturned in bringing all those responsible before the courts.
“Community safety remains our absolute priority, and we are committed to ensuring those who seek to bring violence onto our streets are held fully accountable for their actions.”
Can you help? Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the town centre at the time, or has any mobile phone, CCTV, or dashcam footage, is urged to come forward and speak to police on 101, quoting log 2750 of 29/08/2026, or using the LiveChat function on the GMP website.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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High School Musical at Lowry, Salford – a night spent reliving our childhood | Review
Amy Williams
What a night spent reliving our childhood.
Now, I don’t want to exaggerate or seem biased, considering this is one of my favourite film trilogies of all time, but this could be the best stage show I’ve seen in a long while.
We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.
The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending.
High School Musical is currently on stage at Lowry, Salford / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
From the costumes and the characters, to the memorable songs (there’s actually 52 songs in this production, including a mega mix at the end), they’ve kept right to the script of the films – and that’s exactly what we wanted to see.
Of course, the biggest throwback of them all is Kaycee Stroh – who originally featured as Martha Cox in the film trilogy – taking the role as Ms Darbus, and she was just as incredible as we expected her to be. And to see her do the iconic dance in the finale was unbelievable, 13-year-old Amy was screaming.
Also featuring Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton, Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping Sharpay, and Luke Bayer as Ryan, it was a proper impressive cast all round.
It’s a night to properly relive your mid-00s childhood / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
There was crowd interaction right from the off, as they taught the crowd a cheerleading routine to be included later in the show, plus for the finale, they had the lyrics on the big screen too so everyone could sing-along.
If we could go and see this show every single night, we would – it is absolutely brilliant.
The Manc -
5th July 2021 
