Bolton and Trafford to remain under local restrictions as Stockport sees rules lifted

As Stockport is released from local restrictions, fellow GM boroughs of Bolton and Trafford have had the decision reversed and will remain under existing restricted conditions as coronavirus case numbers rise once more.

Residents of these boroughs remain not permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their support bubbles) in private homes or gardens with some exemptions for the vulnerable, either in these areas or in other parts of the country.

In a statement, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the reversal. He said:

Following a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days, a decision has been taken that Bolton and Trafford will now remain under existing restrictions.

“This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than 3 times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.

“We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks. We can bring the rates down if we continue to work together and I urge everyone to continue to play their part by following the rules – get tested if you have symptoms, self-isolate and practise social distancing.”

Ahead of the government’s announcement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had urged government to reconsider the changes, speaking on BBC Radio 4 on the morning of 2nd September, where he also advised residents of these boroughs to act as though local restrictions remained in place.

While Trafford Council had advised the government not to ease restrictions, prior to the decision of the Department of Health at the end of August to ease restrictions in Bolton, the borough had, like Stockport, observed consistently low and falling levels of Covid-19.

Since the announcement that restrictions would be lifted, infection rates in Bolton began to climb sharply, with the borough now having the highest incidence of the virus per 100,000 residents in Greater Manchester, overtaking Oldham, which is subject to more stringent local restrictions, and leading to measures being reintroduced.

The rapid change in infection rates in Bolton highlight the need to continue to act responsibly to continue to control the virus’ spread in Stockport, through continuing to socially distance and regularly washing hands.

Latest figures show that Stockport has the lowest rate of infection across the city-region at just 7.8 per 100,000 people. Anyone with any symptoms of Covid-19 (persistent cough, fever or loss of taste and smell) must isolate immediately and get a test for free by going online or ringing 119.