Restrictions reimposed in Bolton and Trafford on same day both boroughs were released

Restrictions have returned in Bolton and Trafford – just hours after the government gave both Greater Manchester boroughs the go-ahead to return to normal.

The astonishing u-turn comes after cases in Bolton shot up this past week; turning the town into one of the worst-affected areas in the whole of England.

Cases have also spiked in Trafford – with local leaders arguing they did not wish to lift restrictions in the first instance.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the return of measures today.

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BREAKING NEWS: Bolton and Trafford have been put back into local lockdown measures. The restrictions had only just been lifted! https://t.co/j7osRNzlla

— BBC Radio Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) September 2, 2020

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Health secretary Matt Hancock has said Bolton and Trafford will remain under existing coronavirus restrictions "following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days" in a fresh Government U-turn

— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) September 2, 2020

Hancock stated: “Following a significant change in the level infection rates over the last few days, a decision has been taken that Bolton and Trafford will now remain under existing conditions. 

“This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. 

“We continually monitor outbreaks across the country and have seen infection rates more than three times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.”