Wigan to be moved into Tier 4 restrictions tonight

All non-essential shops, hairdressers, and leisure and entertainment venues must close, with a new “stay at home” message introduced.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that Greater Manchester had been close to being downgraded to a Tier 2 area, amid falling infection rates.

But since then most parts of the city-region have seen a coronavirus resurgence and fears are growing nationally of the NHS's being overwhelmed as the highly contagious new coronavirus variant takes hold.

Ironically Mr Hancock's parliamentary announcement of tougher tiers across much of the country came on the day when experts authorised the use of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine, raising hopes that the UK can be immunised much more quickly.

Wigan's neighbours in Lancashire and Cheshire will also move into Tier 4 tonight while the Liverpool city region, currently in Tier 2, moves into Tier 3.

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: “Sharply rising cases and the hospitalisations that follow demonstrate the need to act where the virus is spreading.”

The Health Secretary told MPs that the majority of new cases recorded yesterday “are believed to be the new variant”.

Mr Hancock added: “Unfortunately, this new variant is now spreading across most of England and cases are doubling fast.

“It is therefore necessary to apply Tier 4 measures to a wider area, including the remaining parts of the South East, as well as large parts of the Midlands, the North West, the North East and the South West.”

“Even in most areas not moving into Tier 4, cases are rising too, and it is therefore necessary to apply Tier 3 measures more broadly too – including in Liverpool and North Yorkshire.

“The rest of Yorkshire remains in Tier 3. These changes will take effect from 00:01 tomorrow morning.

“The new variant means that three quarters of the population are now going to be in Tier 4 and almost all of the country in Tiers 3 and 4.

“And I know that Tier 3 and 4 measures place a significant burden on people, and especially on businesses affected, but I am afraid it is absolutely necessary because of the number of cases that we’ve seen.

“But where we are still able to give places greater freedoms, we will continue to do so.”

Tier 4 restrictions mean:

People must not leave their home or garden unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ including where reasonably necessary for work, education, exercise or open air recreation and essential activities such as medical appointments and to buy food;

People must not meet socially indoors, in a private garden or most outdoor public venues with anybody they do not live with or have a support bubble with. Everyone who can work from home should do so;

People can see only one other person that they do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) in certain public outdoor places - such as parks, public gardens, or outdoor sports facilities;

Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 6 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 6 people can attend linked commemorative events;

Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday lets and guest houses must close, other than where very limited exceptions apply;

Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery, drive-through and click and collect services. Takeaway must cease between 23:00 and 5:00, but delivery, drive-through and click-and-collect may continue during this period. This includes restaurants and bars within hotels or members’ clubs;

Indoor entertainment venues, such as casinos, bowling alleys, and bingo halls must close. Cinemas, theatres, and concert venues must also close.

Certain outdoor venues, such as botanical gardens, heritage sites, and zoos and other animal attractions may stay open, although indoor elements at these attractions must also close.;; and

All indoor leisure and sports facilities must close except where a legal exemption exists, such as for the training of elite sportspersons.

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