Wigan is back under Greater Manchester's Covid-19 restrictions after infections rise

The town's MP Lisa Nandy confirmed on Twitter a short while ago that the Health Minister had spoken to her this morning to explain that the borough would be placed back into the measures which affect the rest of the city region, with the exception of Bolton, where even tighter rules are in place because of its very high rate of infections.

Wigan had been removed from the measures in late August due to having a below average infection rate at the time. But now, tighter restrictions for Wigan would mean households in the borough would no longer be able to meet in homes or gardens, apart from those of people within support bubbles.

Ms Nandy said: "The Health Minister confirmed in a call this morning that a rise in infections in Wigan means we’re subject to wider Greater Manchester restrictions again. I know how hard it is but to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed please follow the guidance."

Top officials and members of the Government held a gold command meeting yesterday to review the data and an announcement is expected later today that Stockport, which has also enjoyed a lighter touch of infection control, will now also be falling into line with the rest of the city-region.

The news came hours after the borough's public health chief, Prof Kate Ardern urged Wiganers to follow the coronavirus avoidance rules as the local rate of new cases climbed above 100 per 100,000.

Only a week ago the borough was put on "red alert" as cases, which had been few and far between in the preceding weeks, rose above 50.