Rules explained as Greater Manchester added to Tier 2 in new COVID alert system
In the new tier system outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday, which separates areas by their risk level ('medium', 'high', and 'very high'), Greater Manchester and its 10 boroughs were placed into the second category, or Tier 2.
Number 10 – Boris Johnson announced the new tier system this week
So, now we know.
After days and weeks of speculation, rumour and hearsay surrounding the prospect of a second lockdown, the people of Greater Manchester have finally been given an official answer as to whether they can continue living their lives and running their businesses.
It’s a ‘yes’… but with a warning.
In the new tier system outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday – which separates England regions by their risk level (‘medium’, ‘high’, and ‘very high’) – Greater Manchester and its 10 boroughs were placed into the second category, or Tier 2.
The headline, of course, is that we avoided the harshest measures.
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Cities and towns within Tier 2 do not have to close hospitality or non-essential stores – which means that pubs and restaurants will continue to trade as normal, despite initial fears they’d be shut down.
The government has now published the guidance for each tier online, as well as a full list of the regions that fall within each category.
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Number 10 – Speculation has been rife as to which category Greater Manchester would find itself a part of
Tier 1 – ‘Medium’ risk
Most places in England have been categorised in Tier 1 – areas where the risk of COVID transmission is considered ‘medium’.
Regions placed in Tier 1 must continue to follow national rules, which include:
The Rule of Six: People must not meet in groups larger than six, indoors or outdoors
A 10pm curfew for hospitality
Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru.
Many businesses and education facilities in this tier are permitted to remain open (except for the likes of nightclubs), with funerals and weddings permitted to go ahead with restrictions on attendee numbers.
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Any location in England not listed below (in Tier 2 or Tier 3) is under Tier 1.
Number 10 – Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty isn’t convinced the current measures go far enough, and believes more restrictions may be necessary later down the line
Tier 2 – ‘High’ risk
Greater Manchester has been placed in Tier 2.
This is for areas with a higher level of infections. Anyone within these regions must adhere to the rules of Tier 1 (Rule of Six, 10pm curfew etc) but also consider the following guidance:
People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
People can meet in groups of up to 6 outside – including gardens
People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible and avoid peak times and public transport.
Businesses, pubs and bars remain open.
Currently, the places in England listed in Tier 2 include:
Tier 3, the ‘very high’ alert level, has seen the reintroduction of restrictions for areas where the virus is spreading quickly.
Locations in this category must:
Close pubs and bars; although restaurants may remain open
Ban wedding receptions
Avoid mixing with anybody outside a household or support bubble in any indoor or outdoor setting
Avoid travelling outside the area except for work, education and youth services
Overnight stays in this area are also banned. Residents of Tier 3 locations should also avoid staying overnight in other parts of the UK.
According to the government, “consultation with local authorities will determine additional measures,” which means local leaders will need to decide if further restrictions will be necessary in the event that “baseline” measures prove ineffective.
Snoop Dogg says he wants to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef – and so do we
Danny Jones
With Gregg Wallace having been axed from MasterChef, one man has put himself forward to replace the long-standing presenter: Snoop Dogg.
Make that Snoop ‘Doggy’ Dogg, esquire and all-round foodie fancy pants, to you.
No, as we often feel we have to clarify sometimes, we’re not joking – the rapper and hip-hop legend apparently is very keen on the idea of becoming the next co-host of UK MasterChef.
It also goes without saying that we will never EVER get bored of writing headlines like these.
Credit: The Martha Stewart Show/BBC
Speaking to The Mirror, the 53-year-old music icon said, “You’ll best believe You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge.”
According to Snoop, his time working on Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party with well-known American cook, food writer and TV personality Martha Stewart means he already has prior experience and he also believes he has the backing of another big culinary name.
“My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version”, he told the outlet, going on to add: “He knows I am not playing when it comes to food. He knows I can cook – I have even given him some tips.
“I hosted a cooking show over here and I have always been vocal about wanting to work on a UK show. I love the place – and for real, this could be the perfect opportunity.”
His bid to join the BBC show might be less likely than many others, but we’ve already seen how well getting familiar entertainment faces on works for the Celebrity version of the show, not to mention juicing up the comedy with less serious analysis as seen on Channel 4’s rebrand of The Great British Bake Off.
You can see a selection of Snoop’s on-screen cooking highlights here.
As for the latest on Wallace, he is still officially denying being involved in any inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature on the show and various other TV projects, with a total of 13 people filing official historical complaints against the long-standing host over the course of a 17-year period.
The 60-year-old is now accused not only of sexual comments in the workplace but groping and touching multiple former contestants and colleagues.
Despite sticking to his official position he has, however, come out to apologise for a response video he made following the second raft of allegations, in which his comments were deemed offensive and misogynistic by a Downing Street official.
We’re confident we already know the answer, so we’ll ask you this instead: just how much do you want to see Snoop Dogg presenting the next series of MasterChef?
Keely Hodgkinson, Sarah Storey, Luke Littler and more shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Danny Jones
The North West and Greater Manchester specifically have notched multiple nods ahead of the year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
2023’s recipient Mary Earps had local ties as Manchester United Women’s no.1 and this year even more Manc names or those associated with the city have been named on the shortlist of nominees.
Following standout performances at Paris 2024, native Olympic and Paralympic athletes Keely Hodgkinson and Dame Sarah Storey have both earned a place among this year’s frontrunners, as well as Warrington-born dart sensation Luke Littler, whose breakthrough year sparked a phenomenon.
That’s three of the top six from our region alone. Get in.
Here are the nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024!
⭐ Jude Bellingham ⭐ Keely Hodgkinson ⭐ Luke Littler ⭐ Joe Root ⭐ Sarah Storey ⭐ Alex Yee
Atherton-born Hodgkinson, still only 22, earned her first-ever Olympic gold back in the summer and her first thought wasn’t to celebrate and put her feet but go and smash the world record next time. Big murals were erected in her honour both in Manchester city centre and back over Wigan way.
Dame Sarah Storey’s career is one that has long deserved much more recognition, notching medal after medal first in swimming and now in cycling, with no sign of slowing down even at 47. An inspiration to any aspiring athlete, let alone one with an impairment, and was rightly given special recognition by MMU earlier this year.
And Luke Littler’s story needs very little explanation: the 16-year-old with ability way beyond his year that he helped draw an entirely new crowd to the world of darts, winning multiple titles in his first year as a so-called ‘senior’ player on the pro tour. If we’re talking strictly personality, he’s got plenty of that too.
Others shortlisted included England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, England’s record run-scorer Test cricketer Joe Root, as well Olympic triathlete Alex Yee. We also think this man should be on the list again but his time will come, we’re certain of it.
And he’s done it! Kevin Sinfield has completed Day 7 of his Ultra marathon challenge in memory of his friend and rugby league legend Rob Burrow & the whole #MND community. pic.twitter.com/3vnjuVKXg9
The 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year takes place on Tuesday, 17 December, with voting taking place during the show which will be broadcast on BBC One and online via BBC iPlayer.
The programme – once again presented by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Clare Balding from over in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays – will begin at 7pm and conclude around 9pm after the winner is announced.
Who do you think should win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024?
The Manc -
13th October 2020 
