Manchester’s bombshell new lockdown rules may destroy local businesses, warn worried owners
MANCHESTER'S bombshell new lockdown rules could destroy local businesses, worried owners warned today.
Fresh restrictions were brought in for 4.5million people across Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire overnight - leaving locals reeling at the sudden change.
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And the new rules – which mean people can still go to work and even visit shops and cafes but cannot go inside other homes – have sparked fears for local businesses.
Speaking to the Sun Online, Keith Appleby, the owner of Appleby’s Hearty English Refreshment cafe in Didsbury said there had been a "long-term impact" on his business.
The 66-year-old said: "Most people who come in here come in as individuals and this is about groups.
"People in hospitality have tight margins which become impossible to sustain below a certain level of takings. I have to work a lot harder or I will lose my business."
And he said the only way to said the government needed to take action after being criticised for being too slow in tackling the virus.
He said: "In the last two weeks before lockdown customers wanted to sit outside when they could and kept on asking whether we were going to close down. I said I’d close down if I’m told to close down.
"Everyone says with hindsight that we got things wrong but the public were ahead of the government."
Brits were seen soaking up the sun outside pubs in Manchester as Boris Johnson today hit the brakes on easing the coronavirus lockdown - saying he wouldn't "stand by and allow the virus to cause more pain and heartache in this country".
He said there had been a "warning light" after new ONS figures showed 4,900 new cases had been recorded every day - up 63% from 3,000 per day figure on July 14 - in what appeared to be the "first rise since the end of May".
And in a dramatic clampdown to stop the spread of the bug, he announced that most of the measures which were to be lifted tomorrow would now be put on ice for two weeks.
He today warned he could widen the local ban on friends and family across the country, saying: "I don’t want to tell people to spend less time with their friends.
“But unless people follow the rules and behave safely, we may need to go further.”
And gap year student Kamala Evans, 19, said she was struggling to be optimistic after Manchester was hit by the midnight rules.
She said: "I thought things were getting back to normal but I’m struggling to be optimistic now.
"Someone we were with last night said it’s like going to a baby shower and telling people to put on a condom."
About 4.5million people will be affected by the new lockdown rules – which are expected to be subject to a weekly review.
The affected areas include all of the 2.8million residents of Greater Manchester, as well as the Lancashire towns of Blackburn, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.
At Bradford, student and steakhouse worker Declan Fleming, 22, he had been left flummoxed by the new rules.
He said: "I feel that none of this is making sense.
"Most shops are not enforcing the mask rules, so I don’t know how you are supposed to check whether different households are mixing behind closed doors. Enforcing this latest change is just going to waste police time."
NEW LOCKDOWN RULES
Does my household include close family members?
Your household – as defined in law – is only the people you live with.
What will be illegal?
It will be illegal for people who do not live together to meet in a private home or garden, except for limited exceptions to be set out in law. You should not host or visit people you do not live with, unless they are in your support bubble. If you live in the affected areas, you should not visit someone’s home or garden regardless of whether this is in or outside of the restricted area.
Can I still meet indoors with people in my support bubble?
Yes. Where people from single adult households (people who live alone or single parents with dependent children aged under 18) have formed a support bubble with another household, they can continue to visit each other, stay overnight, and visit other public places as if they were one household.
Can I still meet people outdoors?
In line with the national guidance, you can continue to meet in public outdoor spaces in groups of no more than six people, unless the group includes only people from two households. You cannot meet people you do not live within a private garden.
At all times, you should socially distance from people you do not live with – unless they are in your support bubble.
I live in this area. Can I still meet with my family and friends to celebrate Eid?
Due to higher rates of infection, if you live in this area you should not host or visit friends and family in each other’s homes or gardens. It will shortly be illegal to do so, unless specific exemptions apply. You also should not meet friends and family in other venues – including restaurants or cafes.
Up to two households, or six people from any number of households may meet outdoors (excluding people’s gardens) where there is a lower risk of infection. If you do so, you should still socially distance from those you do not live with, and avoid physical contact.
You may attend a mosque or other place or worship, where Covid-19 Secure guidance applies, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (such as wearing face coverings). We recommend at this time that, if possible, prayer/religious services take place outdoors.
Can I still go to work in this area?
Yes. People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work. Workplaces must implement Covid-19 Secure guidance.
I live in this area. Can I still go to cafes, restaurants, the gym and other public places?
Yes. But you should only go with members of your own household – even if you are going outside of the restricted area.
I live in the area. Can people from outside of the lockdown area visit me at my house?
No. This will be illegal.
Do I still have to shield if I live in this area?
Clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer have to follow the shielding guidance from the 1 August, unless they live in Blackburn with Darwen in the North West and other local affected areas across England where shielding continues.
Can I visit a care home?
You should not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.
Can I still have my wedding if it’s in the lockdown area?
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies in these areas can still go ahead. No more than 30 people should attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 secure venue. .
Can I travel outside of the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?
Yes
Can I travel into the lockdown area to attend a wedding ceremony?
Yes. Weddings should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines. People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a wedding, but should not go into a private home or garden.
Can I still visit a place of worship in the lockdown area?
Yes, but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (e.g. face coverings). We recommend at this time that if possible prayer/religious services take place outdoors.
Can funerals still take place in the lockdown areas?
Yes. Funerals should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines. People living outside the lockdown areas may travel into the areas to attend a funeral.
Can I holiday in the lockdown area, or visit shops, leisure facilities, or cafes in it?
Yes. However, you must avoid socialising with people indoors when doing so.
Can I travel in a car with someone I do not live with?
You should try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household or social bubble.
And Jack Forward, 18, a Bradford College Performing Arts student, said: "My mum recently moved out of my house and so this is going to leave me with a problem.
"This will now mean I have to reorganise how and where I meet people."
INCHING BACK TO NORMAL
Meanwhile in Leicester, locals are "buzzing" to finally bounce back from the UK's longest coronavirus lockdown.
Many shops, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are set to open for the first time in over for months on Monday after a spike forced the region into the first local lockdown.
Salon owner Jenny Boyall today said she couldn't wait to open, saying: "There’s a huge sense of excitement in the city, the lockdown seems to have gone on forever but it’s finally being partially lifted which is the best news we’ve had in many weeks."
Jenny, who runs Ungaro Hair, added: "Leicester is very nearly back open for business.
"We’ll bounce back, we’re all resilient here, and it will be buzzing next week. The clouds of gloom are finally lifting on this very sunny day.
"There’s already a bit of a party atmosphere and everyone’s looking forward to the city being alive again."
Fraser Guy, the general manager of the popular Dover Castle pub and cabaret venue, said he couldn't wait to get the party started after being closed since March.
He said: "The extended local lockdown seemed a bit unfair when the rest of Britain was partying but now we can join them too.
"It’s been a long, tough wait and very stressful. But we’ll be so happy to be back next week.
"I’m realistic and appreciate that numbers will be down by half but that’s because of social distancing. We’ll welcome customers back to a safe environment and we’ll be ready to party again."
But Boris Johnson today warned that coronavirus hadn't loosened its grip completely.
He said there had been a “warning light” after new ONS figures showed 4,900 new cases recorded every day – up 63% from 3,000 per day figure on July 14 – in what appeared to be the “first rise since the end of May”.
That’s an increase from 3,000 new cases everyday on July 14 and 2,000 new cases at the end of June.
1 in 1,500 Brits now have the virus, compared to 1 in 1,800 on July 15.
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The PM said Brits needed to remain vigilant, saying: “With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control.
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“We must keep our focus and we can’t be complacent.”
The Prime Minister also warned that there would be a “greater police presence” to ensure face coverings were being worn when required.
