Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has warned the government has until the middle of October to avert one of the most difficult winters the north of England has ever seen.
The former Labour health secretary said fresh crisis was on the horizon unless the government agreed to work with local leaders.
He said: "We're staring winter in the face. Test and trace isn't working, furlough's about to come to an end. It's pretty grim right now.
"I think the north of England is looking at one of the most difficult winters we've ever known."
He added: "I think we've got a week or 10 days to change things and for national and local leaders to come back together.
The rift at the moment is vast. If we go much beyond the middle of October we'll be too late."
Mr Burnham complained local restrictions were now being enforced without consultation and minus support packages that would help businesses stay afloat.
Mr Burnham said: "It was an overnight decision dropped on us – fine if that's the decision, but it must come immediately with a scheme that kicks in to help people."
After Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston slammed the government over new measures to be imposed this weekend Mr Burnham said he understood his frustration, nine weeks after Greater Manchester was placed under tighter restrictions.
He said local leaders were being left to oversee shambolic lockdowns that even ministers did not understand.
He said: "They've been drafted by civil servants, but other than the health secretary the rest of the cabinet don't understand them."
He added: "Local restrictions are trying to stop the gathering in the home, but a curfew creates gatherings in the home.
"How can we buy in and create consensus if this is the way things are being done? They're not just confusing, they're contradictory."
