LOCKDOWN GOES ON...

COVID CLAMP CONTINUES ACROSS REGION AS LEVEL OF CASES FAIL TO FALL AFTER 2 WEEKS

RESTRICTIONS on social gatherings in Greater Manchester to control the rising number of coronavirus infections will continue for at least another week, the government has announced.

The measures were announced two weeks ago to urgently tackle an increase in Covid-19 cases in these areas, particularly Oldham.

The latest evidence does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, in collaboration with local leaders, has agreed that the rules must remain in place at present.

This will help protect local residents, and allow more time for the changes to have an effect, cutting transmission among households.

The latest data also shows a continued rise in cases in Oldham and Pendle while numbers remain high in Blackburn with Darwen.

Local leaders are now setting up an enhanced incident team to try and bring infection rates under control, with support offered from the government. They’ve urged everyone to do their bit to help bring down the number of cases.

“That means individuals, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets all taking this seriously and following all the regulations,” the combined authority said in a statement.

Progress will be assessed throughout the weekend and early next week.

Health minister Edward Argar said: “I’d like to thank everyone in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester for their contin