The Manc Asked: How do you feel about the new indoor ban?
In an attempt to understand the region's reaction to the new rules, we took to our social channels and asked our readers: Have your plans been altered in light of last night's announcement and how do you feel about it?
3/4 The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing. So from midnight tonight, people from different households will not be allowed to meet each other indoors in these areas. pic.twitter.com/Yy7wLbdh9V
Instead of waking up today with smiles on their faces and a giddy enthusiasm for the weekend, Mancs pulled back their covers with a groan, switched on the news, and tried to make sense of the garbled messages that had been broadcast the night before.
Sadly, it hadn’t all just been a bad dream. These rules are indeed being enforced, and the indoor ban is going ahead.
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Greater Manchester hasn’t looked this sad in the sunshine since Mario Mandzukic netted an extra-time winner for Croatia in the 2018 World Cup.
In an attempt to understand the region’s reaction to the new rules, we took to our social channels and asked our readers: Have your plans been altered in light of last night’s announcement and how do you feel about it?
This is what you said:
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Yes they have. I've been shielding since March, should have gone back to work on 3rd August,( I'm a self employed chiropodist, doing home visits!) now I can't. No idea when I'll be able to go back to work!
— jannette o'donnell (@stumpyfootgirl) July 31, 2020
Greater Manchester is not a happy place to be right now.
As shown in these responses, residents are overwhelmingly disappointed and frustrated by the new measures – which came into force less than three hours after being announced online.
Those living in parts of the borough with lower infection rates felt particularly aggrieved, as did many situated on the borders.
Some are still fuzzy on the rules.
More detail has since been published on the government website this morning (31 July), confirming that people can continue to go to work (providing social distancing is adhered to) but cannot meet with others outside of their household/bubble in any indoor premises – like a pub, restaurant or cafe.
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Lot of people asking for clarity on the Government’s announcement. Our understanding is:
▪️ no visitors to your home or garden from tonight
▪️you can go to the pub but stay within your household/bubble
The ban on gatherings covers gardens, too – a guideline to which many have reacted with confusion.
And the regulations come with a warning. Those who don’t adhere can be issued a £100 fine.
Mayor Andy Burnham has said the measures will be reviewed weekly. So, until we hear otherwise, it’s time to sit tight again.
Cheer up, Manchester. Tomorrow is another day that is (hopefully) closer to normality…
News
Tribute paid to man ‘loved by so many’ stabbed to death in Levenshulme
Daisy Jackson
The brother of a man stabbed to death in Levenshulme has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Zherko Rasul Osman was just 24 years old when he was fatally wounded in an incident on Chapel Street on Saturday evening.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel, Zherko sadly died at the scene.
Now, his brother has paid tribute to him, saying he was ‘someone who was loved by so many’.
The touching tribute reads: “My brother was a kind, friendly and loving person who never looked for trouble or wanted to harm anyone.
“He was loved and respected by his friends, his mates and the neighbours in the community where he lived. He had a good heart and would always be remembered for the warmth and happiness he brought to those around him.
“His life was taken so suddenly and for no reason, leaving a pain and emptiness that words cannot describe. We are heartbroken that someone who was loved by so many is no longer here. He deserved to live his life and make memories with the people he loved.
“He will never be forgotten. His smile, his kindness and the memories we shared with him will stay in our hearts forever. We love you, and we will miss you every single day.”
Zherko Rasul Osman suffered serious stab wounds on Chapel Street in Levenshulme at around 7.06pm on Saturday 15 August.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning. A 27-year-old man who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder remains on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers continue to make progress as the investigation continues. It is believed this was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are urging anyone who may have information to please report it through the dedicated online portal HERE.
Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect the Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.