Oldham moves into Tier 4 from midnight

Matt Hancock made the announcement this afternoon

Greater Manchester is set to move from Tier 3 into Tier 4 following the latest review of the government's Covid-19 restrictions.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement on the region's move into the tightest set of measures today (Wednesday) at 3pm.

He said: “Sharply rising cases and the hospitalisations that follow demonstrate the need to act where the virus is spreading.”

The new tiers will come into force from 12.01am tomorrow (New Year's Eve, Thursday).

The latest Public Health England data for the week ending December 25 shows the average rate for Greater Manchester stands at 190.9 per 100,000 people.

That figure remains well below the national average transmission rate of 367.4.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to reviewing the tier system on a fortnightly basis.

Tier 4 restrictions mean:  

• People must not leave their home or garden unless they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ including where reasonably necessary for  work, education, exercise or open air recreation and essential activities such as medical appointments and to buy food;  
• people must not meet socially indoors, in a private garden or most outdoor public venues with anybody they do not live with or have a support bubble with. Everyone who can work from home should do so; 
• people can see only one other person that they do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) in certain public outdoor places - such as parks, public gardens, or outdoor sports facilities; 
• weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 6 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 6 people can attend linked commemorative events; 
• accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday lets and guest houses must close, other than where very limited exceptions apply; 
• hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery, drive-through and click and collect services. Takeaway must cease between 23:00 and 5:00, but delivery, drive-through and click-and-collect may continue during this period. This includes restaurants and bars within hotels or members’ clubs; 
• indoor entertainment venues, such as casinos, bowling alleys, and bingo halls must close. Cinemas, theatres, and concert venues must also close. 
• all indoor leisure and sports facilities must close except where a legal exemption exists, such as for the training of elite sportspersons.  

A full list of the Tier 4 restrictions can be found here

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