Coronavirus: 'No socialising' rules in parts of North West

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Oldham, along with other parts of northern England, has extra restrictions in place

Residents in Oldham and parts of Blackburn and Pendle can no longer socialise with other households under new measures introduced to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The new rules came into place at midnight after a rise in cases.

Workplaces, childcare facilities and businesses, including pubs and restaurants, will remain open.

Oldham Council said it had more enforcement capacity to take action against people breaking the rules.

Leader Sean Fielding said the council had closed at least one pub since Friday.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The rules came into force on Saturday

Since July, the government has been introducing extra restrictions in parts of northern England after a spike in coronavirus cases.

The tighter rules will be removed in Wigan, Darwen and Rossendale on 26 August after they recorded lower infection rates than other areas.

Residents in those towns will be required to follow national guidance including social distancing and wearing a face covering where appropriate.

However, the extra restrictions will remain for the rest of Greater Manchester and East Lancashire,.

The new restrictions on household gatherings and socialising will apply to the following areas of Blackburn with Darwen: Audley & Queen's Park, Bastwell & Daisyfield, Billinge & Beardwood, Blackburn Central, Little Harwood & Whitebirk, Roe Lee, Shear Brow & Corporation Park, Wensley Fold.

Areas in Blackburn with Darwen where extra restrictions have been lifted are: Blackburn South & Lower Darwen, Blackburn South East, Darwen East, Darwen South, Darwen West, Ewood, Livesey with Pleasington, Mill Hill & Moorgate, West Pennine

Restrictions in Pendle remain but the new rules apply to the following areas: Whitefield, Walverden, Southfield, Bradley, Clover Hill, Brierfield, Marsden

The new measures announced on Friday for Oldham and parts of Blackburn and Pendle will not prevent people from shopping, going to work or attending schools, which open from 1 September.

Any social activities indoors and outdoors can only be done with people in their household.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, public health director at Lancashire County Council, said: "The vast majority - more than 80% - of coronavirus transmission (in the affected parts of Pendle and Blackburn) is as a result of households mixing.

"That's why we are putting out a very clear message - do not socialise with people you don't live with."

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: "We didn't want to see a lockdown in Oldham and we are pleased the government worked with us on that one."

Mr Burnham added he wanted to see "further relaxation" in Greater Manchester next week as "we are also seeing cases coming down in Trafford and Stockport".

"We are balancing protecting people against letting people live their lives - it is a really difficult question and I don't envy the government on this one," he said.

Councillor Fielding welcomed the announcement that Oldham would not face business closures.

But he warned the authority now had the power to take action when the rules are broken.

He said: "Part of our discussions with government to avert an Leicester-style economic lockdown was a pledge around increasing the capacity in our enforcement teams, so that we could take action where we had reports of businesses or premises or households not following the rules.

"So when we receive those reports we now have additional capacity around enforcement and compliance to take action, whether it's fines, whether it's closure orders or whatever."

Image copyright PA Media Image caption Pakistan cricket captain Azhar Ali is among celebrities enlisted to promote the new guidelines

Mr Fielding said the council has enlisted celebrities such as Pakistan cricket captain Azhar Ali, who is currently playing in a Test Match series against England, and The Inbetweeners actor James Buckley "to get the message out to communities that might listen to [them] rather than listen to me."

"We are also doing some really targeted intervention in our most affected communities, and that includes things like door-to-door testing, using community leaders to get messages over."

Earlier this week, the council shared a clip of Game Of Thrones actor James Cosmo warning residents that "lockdown is coming" unless they abide by guidelines.

Cosmo, who played Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, told residents to "stay safe and follow the guidance".

Elsewhere, Birmingham has been added to the government's watch list, and Northampton named an "area of intervention".