Frustration and anger as Wigan residents banned from meeting separate households indoors

Cases have been creeping up in Wigan in recent weeks but the borough's numbers are among the lowest in Greater Manchester.

Residents took to social media to express frustration that ministers had imposed a blanket ban on the entire city-region rather than specifically targeting the boroughs with the worst figures.

There was also widespread criticism of the timing of the announcement and the lack of details in it.

Hundreds of messages were posted on social media from people in the borough trying to work out how they would be affected.

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy urged residents to follow the rules and stay safe but also said on Thursday night that there was an urgent need for clarity and answers to people's questions.

She wrote on Twitter: "The way the government has announced this has been an absolute shambles and made it harder to follow advice. Please do what you can and we will keep trying to get clarity ASAP."

Ms Nandy also wrote that it was "deeply frustrating" that detailed guidance and information was not published by the Government at 9.30pm when health secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement.

Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue wrote in a letter to Mr Hancock: "I am unclear why Wigan has also been included, other than the fact it is geographically part of Greater Manchester.

"Given the huge impact that these new restrictions will inevitably have on my constituents, I would be grateful if you are able to explain the reasoning behind Wigan borough’s inclusion and why the Government couldn’t implement a more localised lockdown in the parts of Greater Manchester showing statistics of concern.

"In addition, I am very disappointed at the method by which the Government has communicated these latest restrictions. It is not acceptable for an announcement of this magnitude, which impacts on millions of people, to be announced on social media, hours before the restrictions were due to come in to force."

When the guidance did appear early on Friday it said residents in the affected areas cannot meet people they do not live with in a house or garden, visit homes outside the places covered by the measures or socialise with other households in venues such as pubs, restaurants, shops, cafes, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues or visitor attractions.

New laws will be passed to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens, with police being given powers to disperse gatherings and issue fixed penalty notices starting at £100.

Local Conservative politicians have also expressed some concern at the new measures.

Coun Adam Marsh, who represents Standish with Langtree ward in the Wigan Council chamber, tweeted: "Why have we been included in this? GM is not a homogenous unit. There might be a good reason I’m not aware of, but I would like an answer."

One source of bafflement is the fact that Greater Manchester has been hit with region-wide restrictions but the new measures only apply to specific parts of Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Residents also wrote on social media about the frustration of having to change childcare arrangements or scrap planned visits by family members at short notice.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham issued a statement on Thursday night giving his backing to the move, saying he had spoken to Mr Hancock about it and every borough bar one in the region was seeing rising case numbers.

He also urged residents to follow the rules, saying public compliance would mean they could be ended sooner.

The CBI, which represents businesses, also gave a mixed reaction, saying public safety was vital but criticising the Government's communication.

Damian Waters, the organisation's North West director, said: "While this will come as a disappointment and a surprise to many people, it’s essential that we keep on top of the virus and public safety must come first.

“The steps announced are designed to avoid a new full local lockdown which would mean tighter measures, so it’s important that we all follow the rules.

“This won’t be the last local area that faces renewed temporary restrictions in the coming months, so the Government must do better on providing clear, timely advice and appropriate support. It’s a must to maintain public confidence.”

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce expressed concern that vague announcements from the Government could hinder businesses, particularly food and drink establishments.

Chris Fletcher, director of policy and communications, said: "It should be made clear that these measures are squarely aimed at preventing the spread of Covid 19 between households and should not have any immediate impact on businesses in Greater Manchester. People can still go to work and move around within existing safety guidelines and advice around work places and transport.

"One possible area of concern will be the hospitality sector, just finding its feet again after coming out of lockdown, and, while these measures allow premises to stay open, there will no doubt be some confusion over what people are allowed into premises in what groupings.

"Our members and the wider business community have been magnificent in the last few months but the manner and way this was announced could have and should have been better.

"However the focus must now be focused on working with a new series of measures and restrictions and also planning for the changes to work from home guidance and furlough due on August 1. It is vital that every effort is made to prevent further job losses and grow back vital parts of the economy."