Greater Manchester to remain in Tier 3, Health Secretary confirms

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that Greater Manchester, along with most regions in England will remain in the higher tier 3 level of restrictions for at least the next two weeks.

Speaking to the House of Commons, Matt Hancock confirmed only two areas of the UK would see their local alert level changed ahead of Christmas, following a reassessment on 16th December. Bristol & North Somerset where the rate of infection has fallen to 121 per 100,000 and Herefordshire will be placed into tier 1 after rates fell to 45 in 100,000. London, and a number of other areas in the South-east have seen restrictions enhanced.

Matt Hancock says there are 18,038 people in hospital with coronavirus across the UK and that the colder, winter months are always the most difficult for people’s health. “We’ve come so far, we mustn’t blow it now,” he adds.

The Government uses 5 published criteria when assessing the tier restrictions being placed on each area:

1. Case detection rates in all age groups
2. Case detection rates in the over 60s
3. The rate at which case numbers are rising or falling
4. Positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
5. Pressure on the NHS

The region had been hopeful that restrictions would be eased in some areas. In the city-region’s southern boroughs of Trafford, Stockport and Tameside, coronavirus case numbers are below that of the Bristol area which has been moved down to Tier 2, with all boroughs except Rochdale below the England area average for coronavirus cases per 100,000 population.

Cheadle MP, Mary Robinson also remarked on Twitter:

“Disappointed with the news that we are to remain in Tier 3. A strong case has been made against treating the boroughs as a single entity, and many of our local hospitality and leisure venues have worked incredibly hard to be Covid-safe.”

The hospitality sector in the city-region had hoped for a reprieve in the normally busy run-up to Christmas. Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester commented:

After the toughest restrictions for months Lower overall indicators than other Tier 2 regions in the UK Next week England can mix up to 3 households, for 5 days What a kick in the teeth for hospitality. No sense at all.”

Spectator sports and other events will also remain on hold for at least the next two weeks. Speaking on Twitter, Stockport County wrote:

We acknowledge the Government’s recent announcement that Greater Manchester is to remain in tier 3 following the latest review, delaying the return of spectators. We continue to plan, prepare, and look forward to the day we can welcome fans safely back to Edgeley Park.”