Coronavirus: Manchester City Council leader says new lockdown rules go ‘too far’

Action ‘needs to be proportionate’, Sir Richard Leese says

New local lockdown measures in Manchester “go too far”, the leader of Manchester City Council has said.

The government announced local lockdown measures in Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire would be enhanced, banning people from different households from meeting indoors or in gardens following a spike in coronavirus cases.

The rules also ban members of two different households from mixing in pubs, restaurants or other hospitality venues, although these businesses will remain open for people visiting individually or from the same household.

Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, told the BBC: “Although I think we need to take urgent action, I think it needs to be proportionate, and I think there is possibly some of this where we need to be seeking minor modification from the secretary of state.

“There are some areas, for example gardens, where for the time being it just goes too far.”

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said two households can still meet “at a social distance in a public place outdoors” such as a park, but meeting another household in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant space is not allowed in the newly restricted area of the North West.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said the government was right to take action after it became clear the picture on Covid-19 cases had changed.

“On the substance, we do accept that these steps are needed,” he told Sky News. ”They’re modest steps.

“We’re asking people not to have visitors at home, if they go to the pub to stick within their own household – steps that hopefully will prevent much more severe restrictions if we take firm action at this time.”