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Tier 3 restrictions come into force in Greater Manchester today. Here’s what you can and can’t do.

But with Tier 3 restrictions imminent, Greater Manchester residents are now determining what they can and cannot do once new measures become law at 00.01 BST.

The Manc The Manc - 22nd October 2020

Greater Manchester has officially moved into Tier 3 today – with the toughest measures being imposed on the region at 00.01 BST on October 23.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his local leaders have dedicated the past two weeks to fighting the government for an improved financial package for the region – which is being recategorised in the ‘very high’ risk alert level.

Greater Manchester MPs had previously refused to enter Tier 3 without more support, tabling several discussions with the government that all resulted in deadlocks or abandonment.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that he would be forcing Greater Manchester into Tier 3 without a deal; but on Wednesday told the Commons he’d be giving the region £60m to distribute across all ten boroughs.

Now, with Tier 3 restrictions imminent, Greater Manchester residents are wondering what they can and cannot do once new measures become law at 00.01 BST.

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Here’s what you need to know.

Which areas are affected?

The measures cover every borough in the Greater Manchester area.

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After midnight tonight, Tier 3 restrictions will apply to:

  • Manchester
  • Bolton
  • Bury
  • Stockport
  • Tameside
  • Trafford
  • Wigan
  • Salford
  • Rochdale
  • Oldham

What will close in Tier 3?

Gabriella Clare Marino / Unsplash

Several types of businesses must shut under Tier 3 restrictions. These include:

  • Pubs and bars – according to the government, these venues “can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant” ie serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
  • Casinos
  • Bingo halls
  • Betting shops
  • Adult gaming centres
  • Soft play areas

All hospitality must stop trading at 10pm.

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Delivery, click and collect and drive-through services are allowed to continue after 10pm in Tier 3.

Hospitality venues in ports, on transport services and in motorway service areas do not need to close at 10pm, but must not serve alcohol after that time.

Currently, gyms, leisure centres, libraries, community centres and places of worship are set to remain open in Greater Manchester.

Can I meet with friends and family outside my household in Tier 3?

Brooke Cagle / Unsplash

In most cases, no.

In Tier 3, there is a total ban on household mixing – indoors and outdoors in private gardens.

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There are exemptions for meeting one other adult in your ‘support bubble’.

However, you can continue to meet people you do not live with in groups of six or less in certain outdoor public spaces like parks, beaches, countryside, forests, public gardens, allotments, outdoor sports courts and facilities, and playgrounds.

The government has warned that meeting in larger groups carries the risk of big penalties – including £200 for a first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Anyone found involved in organising an illegal gathering of over 30 people can be fined £10,000.

Can I play sport in Tier 3?

Abigail Keenan / Unsplash

Yes.

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The government has announced exemptions to the Rule of Six for certain sporting events. These include:

  • Elite sportspeople for competition and training
  • Outdoor exercise and dance classes
  • Organised outdoor sport and licensed outdoor physical activity
  • Indoor organised sport for disabled people, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s

Are weddings permitted in Tier 3?

Samantha Gades / Unsplash

The government has confirmed that weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can take place in COVID-secure settings or outdoors provided guests are restricted to 15 people.

Receptions are banned.

People living outside of Greater Manchester can travel into the area to attend a wedding, but they must not meet with another household in a private home or garden or stay overnight.

Are funerals allowed in Tier 3?

Mayron Oliveira / Unsplash

Funerals must only take place in COVID-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces.

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A maximum of 30 people can attend.

Wakes are limited to 15 people and must not take place in private homes.

Can I travel in and out of a Tier 3 area?

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The government is strongly advising against travelling in and out of Greater Manchester whilst the region is under Tier 3 restrictions.

The official advice is for people to avoid the region where possible. If anyone needs to visit Greater Manchester, they should “reduce the number of journeys [they] make.”

Entering the region is still allowed for work/education purposes.

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Commuters are also being urged to walk or cycle if possible to reduce congestion on public transport.

Visitors are also being told not to meet people indoors or stay overnight in Greater Manchester.

Residents can travel to hotels and other guest accommodation within the region, but only with people in their households.

You can read the full list of Tier 3 restrictions for Greater Manchester on the government website.

News

Andy Burnham extends Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People on a bus

Single bus fares are to be capped at £2 across England from next year, it has been announced.

Andy Burnham famously introduced this money-saving measure on the Bee Network here in Greater Manchester back in September 2022 when he was Mayor of the city region, and it’s proved to be a big success ever since, so it comes as no surprise that this would be something he would look to extend nationwide once he became Prime Minister.

It’s only his second full day in office, but in a bid to further help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need, Andy Burnham has now announced that millions of passengers nationwide will benefit from cheaper bus fares in 2027.

Backed by £400 million extra funding, the cap on fares will help millions of people across the country access affordable bus travel more easily.

The Government says this measure is aiming to ‘break down barriers to travel’.

Currently, fares have been capped at £3 until the end of March 2027, but today’s move will stop prices jumping next spring and lower fares to £2 from January, as well as extending the cap until the end of 2027 to give local authorities more time to plan with confidence.

The bus fare cap comes alongside the first rail fare freeze in 30 years announced earlier this year, saving passengers £600 million, and commuters on some routes saving more than £300 a year.

It also comes after the Government announced £100m for free bus travel for all children in England aged five-15 on participating services this summer as part of the The Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Andy Burnham is extending Greater Manchester’s £2 bus fare cap across England / Credit: TfGM

“Good, affordable transport links are an essential,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham. 

“But for too long people have said that cheaper transport isn’t an option. I don’t accept that. I’ve done it before and I will do it again now – a £2 cap on bus fares for millions across the country.

“Lower fares will help people get to where they need to, giving them breathing space to help with the cost of living. As I said on my first day in office, I will build a country for everyone, everywhere. That means more connected communities, better access to opportunities, and a lighter load on people’s lives.”

Read more:

The Government will consult on ways to award extra planning powers to Mayors to give them the final say over decisions on public transport in their areas.

These greater powers will help make sure local leaders have the tools they need to meet the needs of local people, and the Government will be consulting on these measures to make sure that they are designed in the best interest of local communities.  

Featured Image – Mitchell Johnson (via Unsplash)

News

Andy Burnham invites Donald Trump to Manchester as two leaders speak on first call together

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Andy Burnham has spoken to US President Donald Trump on a call for the first time since becoming Prime Minister.

Less than 24 hours after officially becoming Prime Minister and appearing outside the doors of Number 10 to give his first speech as leader, Andy Burnham and Donald Trump have had contact with each other – and the US President even described it as a ‘very good conversation’ that was ‘interesting’ and went ‘very well’.

According to the Prime Minister‘s office, the two leaders spoke about a range of different topics important to both countries.

Setting out his vision as Prime Minister, Burnham told Trump that he would focus on reindustrialisation up and down the country to ensure ‘good growth in every postcode’. 

Andy Burnham has invited Donald Trump to visit Manchester / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Prime Minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security, and told the President that ensuring the security of the UK and its Allies was at the top of his agenda.

The President then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country.

It wasn’t all business though, as the pair also discussed the World Cup – with the Prime Minister congratulating the President on his country’s success as hosts, and agreeing that England had an excellent tournament. 

And then came the all-important headline grabbing moment… that’s right, Andy Burnham has invited Donald Trump to visit Manchester.

Read more:

According to the Government statement, Burnham said he also hoped that he would be able to ‘show the President what Manchester had to offer’ during a visit to the city sometime in the future.

Oh boy… we better get preparing ourselves already then.

Featured Image – Trump White House (via Flickr)

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