Planned easing of local lockdown restrictions in Bolton and Trafford scrapped after rise in infection rates

This means that residents cannot meet people outside their bubbles either indoors in homes or in gardens, the Department of Health & Social Care said.

The latest data for Bolton shows the weekly incidence rate is now at 66.6 per 100,000 on Sunday, compared to 18.9 per 100,000 between August 17 and August 23, it said.

The latest data for Trafford shows a weekly incidence of 36.8 per 100,000 on Sunday, compared to 17.8 per 100,000 between August 17 and August 23.

However the lifting of restrictions in Burnley, Hyndburn, Stockport and parts of Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford went ahead from noon on Wednesday.

Matt Hancock said: “This decision has been made in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data. We continually monitor outbreaks across the country, and have seen infection rates increase more than three times in Bolton in under a week, and double in Trafford since the last review.

“We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks. We can bring the rates down if we continue to work together and I urge everyone to continue to play their part by following the rules – get tested if you have symptoms, self-isolate and practice social distancing.”