Region to stay in Tier 3 during festive period
ROCHDALE will remain under the toughest level of restrictions, tier three, following the latest review announced by health secretary Matt Hancock.
The council have welcomed the news, saying that remaining in tier 3 gives the borough the “best chance” of slowing a third wave which is expected to strike after Christmas following the five day relaxation of rules.
It means that pubs and restaurants will only be able to serve takeaways over the Christmas period.
Coun Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We believe that remaining in tier three is necessary until there has been a bigger fall in our infection rate.
“We are still very concerned about the infection rate, and how the recent decline in the number of cases has slowed.
“Remaining in tier three gives us the best chance of limiting the impact of a third wave of infections which the experts are telling us to expect after
Christmas. We know it is incredibly difficult for our businesses who are already suffering but it is vital that we continue to control the virus at this crucial stage.”
The review looked at the number of cases across all age groups, cases specifically among the over-60s, the rate by which cases are rising or falling, percentage of those tested in local populations who are found to have Covid and current and projected pressures on the NHS.
In Greater Manchester, only Rochdale has a higher infection rate than the average for England, but it is only marginally above it, the latest Public Health England data shows.
In the week ending December 12, the rate in Rochdale was recorded at 206.8 per 100,000.
The national average for England was recorded at 205.7.
In addition, figures showing just how badly Greater Manchester schools have been impacted by Covid cases have been revealed for the first time.
Overall attendance rates have varied throughout the term, but on average Rochdale has had the lowest rates in both secondaries (70 per cent) and primaries (84pc), followed by Oldham, with very similar rates of 71pc and 84pc respectively.
During at least six weeks since the start of term, some areas had every single high school with at least one pupil isolating due to Covid contact within school.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday has said that Bristol is coming out of Tier 3 into Tier 2 but that every other part of England currently in Tier 3 is staying there.
But Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham hit out at the decision.
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, he said: “It isn’t equal treatment. It’s as simple as that. When we had higher cases and cases rising, we were left on our own. When London and the South East have them it looks like everyone has to have them.
“The difference is in the past this would have been done and we just wouldn’t have fought back but I think we are fighting back a bit more now than we have been. It was only when London was really in the firing line as well that they really turned their mind to it.
“I share your frustration but we will be great again, they’re not going to hold us back. We’ve come through a tough year and we are fighting back and that will continue in the New Year.”
On Twitter, Mr Burnham added: “If you look at the figures, it’s hard not to conclude: when cases rise in the North, the North goes under restrictions. When cases rise in London and the South East, everyone stays under restrictions.”
It comes after Boris Johnson on December 16 urged people to have a ‘smaller, safer Christmas’.
The Prime Minister said it would be “inhuman” to ban Christmas entirely and confirmed the festive bubble policy allowing households to mix between December 23 and 27 would remain in place.
However he has asked people to minimise the number of people getting together, and to avoid staying away from home over night if possible.
He also urged people not to travel from a highprevalence to a low-prevalence area and suggested people should avoid seeing elderly relatives until they have been vaccinated.
This comes as another blow for the hospitality in what is usually their busiest time of the year.
Robert Downes, Federation of Small Businesses Development Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “I’m sure this won’t have come as a huge surprise to most hospitality businesses in GM.
“Many pubs, restaurants and hotels make between 20-25% of their annual revenue this time of year – it’s called the ‘golden quarter’ for a good reason and kicks off with Halloween through to New Year’s Eve.
“That hasn’t been the case for 2020 here – and even for those that make it through they’ll be in precarious position without that income in the bank, and with frankly totally inadequate grant funding in place to help them through lean winter trade.
“We will be calling on Government to step in to provide proportionate funding to cover all businesses who cannot operate due to the local restrictions.
“This is ‘make or break time’ and funding is the only chance of a life raft.”