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.
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.
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.