The leader of Bolton council says there is no local lockdown in the borough following confusion over government guidance amid Covid rates concerns.
Coun David Greenhalgh spoke during Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's press conference today (Tuesday).
It came as questions were raised over government guidance, which appeared to tell residents in areas with a high number of cases of the B.1.617.2 strain of the virus, often called the Indian variant, not to leave those areas.
This also covers several parts of the UK where Indian variant is believed to be spreading fastest - Bedford, Blackburn and Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow, and North Tyneside.
Coun Greenhalgh said he had spoken to government officials and confirmed the guidance is advisory - and not legally binding.
He said residents should make their own decisions on where to travel - and do so 'safely and responsibly'.
He said: "Clearly, over the last 24 hours there has been a degree of confusion, but I'm delighted to say, after a number of calls with senior officials from government, public health and NHS colleagues as well, we are in a position to be able to say with assuredness that there are no added restrictions coming to Bolton.
"There's no local lockdown.
"The position in Bolton remains the same as it did around the time of the Prime Minister's announcement 10 days ago."
Coun Greenhalgh, who earlier this month asked the government not to place further restrictions on the borough, added: "Local lockdowns do not work."
He said 'quite categorically' that 'the position remains the same as it was'.
"The situation remains the same as of 10 days ago," Coun Greenhalgh added.
"Nothing has changed since then.
"I do not believe residents in Bolton should be cancelling holidays."
Coun Greenhalgh said Bolton 'must not be singled out as a town that disobeys' and that the government risks turning 'resentment into anger'.
