The leader of Trafford Council has described the decision to place Trafford under Tier 3 restrictions as a “smack in the face” for residents and called for an earlier review of the decision.
Cllr Andrew Western said that the borough’s infection rate was now “20% below the national average” and that Trafford should be been placed in Tier 2.
He said: “I’m very disappointed that Trafford has been placed in Tier 3. There was no consultation with the Council and had there been I would have highlighted the fact that our Covid rate is now 20% below the national average and there is evidence of a sustained downward trend in prevalence.
“Residents and businesses have made huge sacrifices to achieve this and to be placed in the highest possible tier in spite of this is a smack in the face. I have always supported restrictions where I have considered them justifiable but on this occasion I think it is the wrong decision and we should have been placed in Tier 2 restrictions.
“This will be especially challenging for those in the hospitality sector and the Government must commit to urgently reviewing the insignificant financial support available to businesses. They must also look at reviewing the tiers earlier should the current rate of decrease in cases continue in the coming days.”
The rate in Trafford is down 50% week-on-week to 170.9 cases per 100,000 people, the lowest of any Greater Manchester borough.
Rates in all boroughs are currently falling but are above the national average in most, particularly Rochdale and Oldham.
Here are the key Tier 3 restrictions that people in Altrincham now face:
- No mixing between households indoors, in private gardens or in most outdoor places
- No socialising in groups of more than 6 in public outdoor spaces including parks, countryside or a public garden
- Pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars must close but can continue to trade by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery
- Hotels, B&Bs, campsites and guest houses must close
- Indoor entertainment venues must close, including indoor play centres, casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks, cinemas, theatres and concert halls
- Leisure and sports facilities can stay open but group exercise classes should not go ahead
- No indoor or outdoor events, with the exception of drive-in events
- Places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there
- Wedding receptions banned
- Funerals can go ahead but with a maximum of 30 people
- Wedding ceremonies can go ahead but with a maximum of 15 people
- Avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, or to receive medical treatment
Announcing the tier decision this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the five tests on which the decision over tiers were made included case rates, cases among the over-60s, the rate at which the infection is rising, the positivity rate and the pressure on the local NHS.
He said: “I know how tough this is, especially for places that have been in restrictions for a long time like Leicester and Greater Manchester.”
He said the tiers would be reviewed in a fortnight and reviewed again regularly thereafter.
