Local lockdowns have been implemented across the UK when cases of coronavirus spike in a bid to prevent further spread. Areas across the north of England were placed under restrictions after a rise in COVID-19 cases. These areas includes parts of West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Now the Department of Health and Social Care has announced some of these areas will see an ease in restrictions.
Speaking today Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We brought in measures to protect people in these parts of Northern England, and I want to thank residents who have worked so hard to get on top of this virus.
“We’re seeing the positive results of our local approach, and are able to bring in increasingly targeted measures.
“It is vital we can maintain this good progress.
Read More: Lancashire lockdown over: Which restrictions have been lifted?
“I have every faith people across the county, especially in areas where we are seeing higher numbers of cases, will continue to play their part by following local rules, and self-isolating and requesting a free test as soon as they get any symptoms.”
Which areas have seen lockdown lifted in Manchester?
According to the latest announcement, restrictions on two households mixing introduced last month will be lifted in Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Burnley and Hyndburn.
Parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees will also fall into line with the rest of England on Wednesday, September 2.
In Greater Manchester, the lifting of lockdown measures will only apply in Trafford, Stockport and Bolton.
There will still be a ban on two households mixing indoors will in the City of Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Bury, and Tameside.
As well as this, in Oldham, in addition to a household mixing ban indoors, residents will continue to be advised to avoid mixing with anyone from anther household anywhere.
The Government said cases per 100,000 in Oldham reached 67.1 during the week ending August 20, the second highest in England.
The lockdown restrictions will also ease in parts of Bradford excluding Bradford city and Keighley town, parts of Calderdale excluding Halifax, and parts of Kirklees excluding Dewsbury and Batley.
The changes mean next week more than a million people will be able to mix with family and friends outside their household, in line with national social distancing rules.
This will be the first time since restrictions were imposed on July 30.
Bowling alleys and indoor play areas will also be allowed to reopen their doors in those areas where rules are being eased.
Elsewhere across England these venues opened on August 15.
