Bolton residents have had their say on regarding the news about the potential two-week 'circuit breaker' lockdown.
It has recently been reported that the Government are drawing up plans for a national lockdown after Christmas in attempts to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
The Times reported that draft regulations were being prepared which would ban meeting others indoors except for work purposes, and that pubs and restaurants would be limited to outdoor service only.
READ MORE: Covid LIVE as Boris Johnson holds emergency meetings ahead of lockdown decision
There have been reports on Monday that Boris Johnson is considering a number of options, ranging from “mild guidance to nudge people, right through to lockdown”.
These measures could include an 8pm curfew on pubs, new rules on social distancing or a full lockdown.
Manchester Evening News took to the streets of Bolton and asked people what they thought about the possibility of another national lockdown.
'Businesses are still struggling'
The town has been one of the worst-hit areas in the region over the course of the pandemic and, although it currently has the lowest infection rate in Greater Manchester, has seen record numbers of infection rates as the Omicron variant rips through the country.
Latest data show that the town has seen a 40 per cent week-on-week rise in infection rates in the week ending December 15, with an infection rate of 471.5 cases per 100,000 people. Recently, Bolton Wanderers were forced to postpone their league one fixture against Wycombe Wanderers after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
Don McGuire, who lives in Bolton, says while he would back a circuit breaker he is worried about the damage it would do to already struggling businesses in the town should the lockdown last any longer.
He said: “I think another lockdown will do more damage than good, but if it has to happen so be it.
“But little business are still struggling after the last one and it could completely wipe them out. They’re struggling to get back on top of things.
“Two weeks would be bearable, we can cope with that instead of months, people would be more open to that.”
Cafe owner Nihat Ozel said the public would have no choice but to follow the rules should a lockdown be announced.
He said: “There is nothing that we can do.
“If the government puts us in lockdown then we have to in lockdown. I think the government know what they’re doing.
“They don’t always act the right way but they are the people in charge and have the information.”
A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they were against any potential lockdown and voiced their frustrations about the government.
They said: “I’m not for any restrictions, I’ve not been convinced about this from day one.
“I think Boris wanted to put us in lockdown now, but he’s in shaky ground so he’s waiting until after Christmas and before New Years to announce it.”
'I'm still losing money from first lockdown'
While the reports state that the proposed plans are for a two-week period, local takeaway owner, Freddy, said a lockdown lasting any longer would mean he would have to close down his already struggling business.
He said: “In the first lockdown I had to close for one whole year.
“When they lifted restrictions I opened again but I’m still losing money, and the business is hurting, everything is hurting.
“I can only afford to be closed for two months. Any more than that then I’d have to think about selling the business and thinking of something else.”
One shopper was for the circuit breaker, saying another national lockdown was ‘inevitable’.
She said: “I think it’s inevitable.
“I’m for a lockdown, the NHS is near a breaking point and it’s gonna be overwhelmed and a bit of a circuit breaker to give them a bit of respite is needed.
“It should have been done before, but pretty soon after Christmas or early January would be ideal.”
Students Hermione and Patricia were also for the lockdown.
Patricia said: “I wouldn’t really mind a lockdown, it would probably be the same as the first one so I would adapt easier to it."
Hermione continued: “If people get their shots and have their boosters then I think we’ll be out of it sooner than we think.”
Friends Tom and Javan were for the lockdown and restrictions but questioned whether the public would be as receptive to the plans as they have been in the past.
Tom said: “It’s inconvenient but we’ll have to do it.”
Javan said: “I think it’s kind of needed but they have to be very careful about how they put it in place.
“At the end of the day if helps people then it helps people. I’m not fussed, it’s about the people who are gonna hear ‘second lockdown’ and start rioting.”
