Lockdown gets tighter after Tier 3 takes effect
GREATER Manchester has recorded its highest weekly coronavirus infection rate since the start of the pandemic.
Rochdale is seeing a spike in the rate of infection, and falls just below Oldham at 570.6 cases per 100,000 people.
Rochdale remains under a tighter coronavirus lockdown compared to other parts of England, after Greater Manchester moved into a Tier 3 lockdown from Tier 2 on Friday, October 23.
Oldham’s 592.5 is the largest rate recorded in any of the region’s 10 boroughs since March although it is important to note that community testing has increased since then. The average infection rate across the country is now 207.5.
As Greater Manchester headed into the first weekend of Tier 3 restrictions, infection rates were rising in every borough.
The latest infection figures come as more than 100 patients with Covid19 died in Greater Manchester’s hospitals in the space of a week.
A total of 112 Covid patients died at the region’s hospitals in the seven days up to October 22. It’s the first time the weekly total has gone over 100 since May 16.
There have been 257 deaths within the region’s hospitals in October. Council and government officials are reportedly considering extra restrictions if the current tier system has not made an improvement by midNovember. According toiNews, a potential plan B could include a ‘Tier 3 plus’ or ‘Tier 4’.
All 10 boroughs must follow the toughest restrictions set out in the government’s new threetier local lockdown system.
This means residents in Rochdale must abide by the rules for coronavirus alert level ‘very high’.
Failure to do so could result in fines of up to £10,000.
Restrictions see stricter rules on households mixing, while some businesses will be forced to close.
Along with these measures, national rules must also be followed.
This includes the ‘rule of six’ that was introduced to the whole of England on September 14, which prohibits gatherings of more than six people.
The hospitality industry in Rochdale must also follow the 10pm-5am curfew that’s in place across the country, along with only offering table service.
Greater Manchester staying in Tier 3 will be reviewed by at least November 11, the government said.
What are the latest lockdown rules in Rochdale?
The main points are, as of Friday, October 23:
You can’t meet with anyone outside of your household/support bubble in any indoor setting i.e. homes, restaurants.
You must also not meet with people outside of your household/support bubble in a private garden ‘or in most outdoor public venues’.
You can continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have not formed a support bubble with) in outdoor spaces like parks. When you do so, you must not meet in a group of more than six - which includes children, and follow social distancing.
When visiting a venue with your household, at least one person should give their contact details to the venue or check in using the official NHS COVID-19 app.
Pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving ‘substantial meals’. Casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, adult gaming centres and soft play areas must also close. Gyms can remain open.
Businesses and venues must follow ‘Covid-19 secure’ guidelines.
Office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over winter.
Educational settings will remain open during the pandemic however there is separate safety guidance. There are exemptions to the legal limit on gatherings for childcare such as afterschool clubs and nannies.
There is also an exemption to households mixing if the purpose is to provide childcare with a ‘childcare bubble’.
Someone in one household can provide informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household.
You must not visit a care home unless in exceptional circumstances, for example to visit an individual who is at the end of their life.
You can continue to travel, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys where possible. IYA Coronavirus widget
They are also advising people not to travel into or out of an area if it has been categorised as a very high alert level area.
You can still attend places of worship, but must not mingle with anyone outside of your household/support bubble.
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can take place in ‘Covid19 secure’ venues restricted to 15 people. But not receptions.
Funerals can take place in ‘Covid-19 secure’ venues or public outdoor spaces with up to 30 people in attendance.
In a very high alert area, you can still take part in sport and physical activity outdoors. Organised sport, exercise classes and other activity groups are only permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with.
You can still move home if you’re in a very high alert level area.
There is separate advice for those who are extremely critically vulnerable. There are also some exceptions to the above.