SHUTTING THE PUBS AT 10PM ‘DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD’

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LOCAL lockdown restrictions across Greater Manchester need to be simplified as they are too complex and ‘confusing’, mayor Andy Burnham has said.

People across the region have been left baffled by various versions of local rules - and the difference between national rules. Things have become increasingly confusing.

By law, people are not allowed to have anyone from outside their household in their home or garden - unless they’re in a support bubble - in Manchester, Stockport, Trafford, Bury, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Wigan, Oldham and Bolton.

The government advises against socialising with anyone outside people’s household or bubble at ‘any public venue’ - inside or outside.

If people go against that advice, the national ‘rule of six’ - as covered by law - comes into play. It’s not always been clear which restrictions are covered by law and which are guidance - or which areas the rules apply to.

The difference between ‘must not’ and ‘should not’ has left people incredibly confused - and increasingly frustrated. Mr Burnham suggested that a new tier system which simplifies and clarifies what is illegal in each borough could encourage more people to follow the rules.

He said: “I don’t envy the government as it tries to find a way through a very difficult situation.

“But we have arrived at a position where people living in areas under local restrictions are understandably confused about the rules. They are too complex and there has been too much chopping and changing.

“We urgently need to simplify and clarify them to build greater public understanding and buy-in ahead of the winter.”

If the government were to agree to such proposals then council leaders and Greater Manchester need to be involved in the tier system’s design, Mr Burnham added.

More support should also be given to businesses in the city-region hit hardest by the restrictions, which have been in place for eight weeks.

Last week Mr Burnham said it was ‘immoral’ of the government to shut struggling businesses down in Bolton without providing greater financial support.

He said: “The current payments are extremely low and not enough to save businesses from closure.”