Bolton Council urges ministers to keep coronavirus restrictions in place as local infection rate soars

Bolton Council has asked the Government to keep Covid-19 restrictions in place in the borough following a “sudden and unforeseeable rise” in the local infection rate.

The infection rate in the area, not limited to a single area, community or place of work, soared to 56.4 per 100,000 people — nearly three times the UK's quarantine threshold for foreign countries of 20 cases per 100,000 people.

Bolton had been subject to local restrictions, but from this week the Government had announced that restrictions were to ease in the area.

Different households are set to be allowed to meet indoors or in private gardens from Wednesday, after local political leaders had previously argued for the removal of the restrictions due to falling numbers of positive cases.

Cases had fallen from previously fallen from 25.6 to 18.9 in Bolton after local restrictions were put in place.

But on Tuesday it emerged that local leaders had held an emergency meeting after seeing cases soar, and had decided "with a heavy heart" to call for restrictions to remain.

Leader of Bolton Council councillor David Greenhalgh said: “It is with a heavy heart that the cabinet and officer team have come to this decision and this will be incredibly disappointing for both residents and business owners.

“We urged the Government to lift Bolton out of the additional restrictions at a time when infection rates were low. This was the right decision at the time.

“However, there has been a sudden and unforeseeable rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Bolton. We have always been led by the data, which means we have no choice but to act quickly to keep everyone safe.

“The rate stands at 56.4 per 100,000, which makes us a key area of concern within the UK. We need to take this seriously and follow the regulations.”

Bolton Council’s director of public health Dr Helen Lowey said: “When the request was made last week, Covid-19 cases were being managed in the community and rates were steadily falling.

“In a short space of time, that rate has jumped from 18.4 to 56.4. This highlights how quickly the virus spreads and the importance of following the regulations closely.

“Do not meet up with people you do not live with either inside or in a private garden. Maintain social distancing, wash your hand regularly and wear a face covering when required.”

People in areas under restrictions, including parts of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, have also been allowed to mix with family and friends from outside their household from this week.

Businesses that opened elsewhere on August 15, such as bowling alleys, were allowed to open from Tuesday in areas previously put under restrictions, including Burnley, Stockport and Trafford.

The number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in Burnley fell from 52 to 24.6 after local restrictions were put in place.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said the “positive results” seen in these areas were proof that the “local approach” was effective.

The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

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