{"id":1138,"date":"2020-10-12T15:54:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T15:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eatmcr.co.uk\/?p=1138"},"modified":"2020-10-21T09:23:03","modified_gmt":"2020-10-21T09:23:03","slug":"lockdown-rules-manchester-restaurants-pubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eatmcr.co.uk\/news\/lockdown-rules-manchester-restaurants-pubs\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Tier 3 lockdown rules mean for Greater Manchester’s restaurants, bars and pubs"},"content":{"rendered":"
After days of long and drawn-out discussions, it has been announced that Greater Manchester has been ‘forced’ into Tier 3.<\/p>\n
On 12 October, the government revealed the details of a new approach to local lockdowns – a three-tiered system of coronavirus restrictions.<\/p>\n
Although initially avoiding the strictest measures, it has been announced that Greater Manchester will be placed into Tier 3 from midnight on Thursday 22 October.<\/p>\n
In a public briefing at 5pm on 20 October, Boris Johnson reiterated that he wanted to avoid a national lockdown if at all possible but that the time had come to enforce the toughest measures in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n
Today’s announcement follows days of discussions between the government and local leaders.<\/p>\n
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and council leaders had opposed the move to Tier 3 due to what they described as a lack of scientific evidence and insufficient financial support for businesses and self employed people.<\/p>\n
Local leaders were given a deadline of midday on Tuesday 20 October to accept an offer provided by the government but an agreement was not reached.<\/p>\n
Burnham said in a press conference today that at no point were they offered a sufficient package to warrant an agreement to the new restrictions.<\/p>\nGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
He said: “How can we carry the public through this pandemic if we are forcing them to lose their income, their place of work without supporting them through that?”<\/p>\n
“… We need to carry [the public] with us, not crush their spirit.”<\/p>\n
Boris Johnson admitted that he knew these restrictions were tough but that ‘generous and extensive offer’ which was proportionate to what had been offered to Merseyside and Lancashire.<\/p>\n
The offer on the table for consideration at midday was for \u00a360 million but the amount announced at the briefing today was just \u00a322 million.<\/p>\n
What does ‘Tier 3’ mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The three-tier system divides England into Tier 1 (medium risk), Tier 2 (high risk) and Tier 3 (very high risk).<\/p>\n
From 00:01 on Friday 23 October, Greater Manchester will join Merseyside and Lancashire in being placed under Tier 3 restrictions.<\/p>\n
This means that pubs and bars in Greater Manchester will now have to close for at least 28 days, unless they serve a substantial meal.<\/p>\n
Restaurants can stay open but existing restrictions will remain in place including table service, track and trace check ins and the controversial 10pm curfew<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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