‘DON’T PANIC’
STAY CALM, TOWN HALL CHIEFS URGE PUBLIC AS ‘MAJOR INCIDENT’ STATUS TRIGGERS PROSPECT OF ARMY BEING CALLED IN
This is standard practice in complex situations
Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese
THE public of Greater Manchester have been urged to stay calm by town hall bosses – even though a ‘major incident’ has been declared following a sharp rise in Covid-19 virus infections.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council said: “People should not be alarmed that a major incident has been declared.”
The Labour politician called the move ‘standard practice for complex situations’ and said it would allow a central command structure to be created to enable agencies to draw on extra resources.
The move - in line with the region’s ‘outbreak’ strategy - is the same as would be declared in the event of a terror attack or major flood and means the region can access extra national resources if necessary.
The Army could be drafted in to support police if needed.
The declaration is expected to lead to greater police enforcement of the latest measures, including in bars.
The Strategic Coordination
Group made the decision after they to met declare to discuss a major the incident new lockdown measures. Residents in Greater Manchester are no longer allowed to meet in different households, or people from other households inside pubs and restaurants. Out of the top 20 worst-affected local authority areas for Covid-19 infections in England, Greater Manchester boroughs - home to almost 3 million people - comprise more than a third of the list, with seven entries. Oldham, the secondworst affected borough in the country, recorded a sevenday infection rate rise from 41.6 to 62.8 per 100,000 people, with 148 new cases reported in the past week. Yesterday, was the first working day of the week for which the government’s new guidance applies - advising employees to return to their place of work where it has been made Covid secure and their employer agrees it is necessary. According to some reports, recent restrictions to the general lockdown could be reversed in a matter of months under socalled ‘nuclear deterrent’ plans under consideration by the government to avoid a second national lockdown. Boris Johnson is also reported that he may soon order doctors to offer tailored advice this autumn to anyone or are advising the in winter at over less Using ill increased reduce them health, 50 at in a who the risk grading to social risk is warning most stay could obese, from at serious system, contact, home be overweight them Covid told during cases. those shop they and to during for avoid Robert those Housing hours public Jenrick, shielding, designated transport. Secretary asked or just works, scheme about extended speculation. said: whether was shielding “This in the an is Downing that Street is “That’s being stressed actively not something yesterday considered.” that in start all schools of year the autumn groups will reopen in term. England for all pupils at the But In a a could briefing spokesman force to some journalists, said closures. local lockdowns the prime said: “You’ve minister’s heard official from spokesman the prime minister absolute on commitment many occasions to getting his children and back that’s into vital school for their in September education and their development. “We are planning for all pupils in all year groups to be in school fulltime from the beginning of the He added that ‘hypothetically straight autumn some schools away term.” if there might was not to be reopen a very specific localised lockdown that requires a single school to close.’