Star date: 31st July 2020

NO VISITORS, OPENINGS PLANNED FOR 1ST AUGUST ON HOLD

Salford last night had new restrictions imposed as part of a Greater Manchester clampdown following rising cases of coronavirus. From today, visitors to homes and gardens from other households are banned, although you can go to the pub with members of your household or bubble. Further openings set for 1st August have also been put on hold.

Salford has eleven new confirmed cases of the virus and new data shows outbreaks in ten areas of Salford, including Broughton, Irlam, Swinton and Pendleton.

Full details here...

Salford has eleven new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 1,446, up from the previous day's 1,435.

Last night, the Government's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced that the city has now been included within a Greater Manchester clampdown that imposes new restrictions...*

• No visitors to homes or gardens, apart from those within support bubbles.
• Visits to the pub are allowed but only with those in households or bubbles
• Openings planned for 1st August are on hold.

"Over recent days, there has been a marked change in the picture across Greater Manchester with regard to the spread of COVID-19" explains Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham "We have gone from a falling rate of cases in nearly all of our boroughs last week to a rising rate in nine out of ten affecting communities across a much wider geography. In Rochdale, the one borough where cases have fallen, they are still too high.

"We have always said that we will remain vigilant and be ready to respond quickly should the need arise" he adds "In line with that approach, I have agreed with the Health Secretary that it is right to act on the precautionary principle and introduce modest measures now to bring down the rate of new infections.

"I ask all Greater Manchester residents - young and old alike - to protect each other by observing these new requirements" he says "They will be reviewed weekly; meaning the more we stick to them, the quicker they will be removed. This is a place which prides itself on looking out for each other. We now need to be true to that by not acting selfishly and keeping the health of others in mind at all times."

The latest Greater Manchester coronavirus case figures show marked increases - Manchester has a total of 3,235 cases (up from 3,206), followed by Wigan with 2,177 (up from 2,172), Oldham 2,102 (up from 2,073), Bolton 1,976 (up from 1,966), Rochdale 1,854 (up from 1,847), Stockport 1,728 (up from 1,716), Tameside 1,599 (up from 1,591), Trafford 1,415 (up from 1,401), and Bury 1,341 (up from 1,334).

New Public Health England data showing positive cases by Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) for the week ending 26th July show outbreaks in ten areas of Salford...

Salford Central and University - 4 cases
Higher Broughton – 4 cases
Langworthy Buile Hill – 4 cases
Peel Green – 4 cases
Swinton Newtown – 4 cases
Swinton West – 3 cases
Walkden South – 3 cases
Higher Irlam – 3 cases
Weaste and Seedley – 3 cases
Pendleton – 3 cases

There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.

To see the map of localised cases – click here

* Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care tweeted the details last night stating "unfortunately we've seen an increasing rate of transmission in parts of Northern England...Based on the data, we decided that in Greater Manchester, parts of West Yorkshire & East Lancashire we need to take immediate action to keep people safe.

"The spread is largely due to households meeting and not abiding to social distancing" he added "So from midnight tonight, people from different households will not be allowed to meet each other indoors in these areas. We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe..."

Update: The Government has now published more details on the clampdown

"If you live in one of the affected areas, in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you should not:

   * meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where  you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in law).

* visit someone else's home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas. 

*socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with others. If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance.

The government will pass new laws to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens. The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices (starting at £100 – halving to £50 if paid in the first 14 days – and doubling for subsequent offences)…"

Click here to read the full statement

Update: 6:30pm - Full details of the Greater Manchester press conference on the restrictions - click here