Andy Burnham has said he would “hesitate” to name and shame the pubs which caused coronavirus cases to spike significantly in Bolton.
The mayor was asked whether he would reveal the establishments allowing the virus to spread during a press conference this afternoon.
He said he would ‘hesitate’ to do so – although 'possibly’ if the establishments were found to be flouting the rules.
Yesterday, stricter lockdown measures were put in place in Bolton due to a “significant rise in cases” in the borough.
The Health Secretary said the decision came after a number of pubs in the town caused the virus to “spread significantly”.
Track and trace systems showed that the rise in cases was partly due to people in their 20s and 30s socialising.
During the Greater Manchester press conference today, the mayor said some pubs have done the right thing by closing for a deep clean after an outbreak.
He added that GMP figures given to him today show the police have been carrying out ‘a huge amount of enforcement activity’.
The rate of new cases in Bolton have now reached 120 for every 100,000 people, meaning it remains the highest in the country.
As a results pubs, bars and restaurants will now only be allowed to serve takeaway only - and not be allowed to open between 10pm and 5am.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Tuesday that further restrictions will be announced including limiting pubs, restaurants and cafes to just take-away options only.
He said yesterday: "Unfortunately after improving for several weeks, we’ve seen a very significant rise in cases in Bolton. Bolton is up to 120 cases per 100,000 of population, the highest case rate in the country and I’m publishing the data behind the decisions that we’ve taken.
“I must therefore tell that House that, working with the local council, we’re taking further local action. The rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in their 20s and 30s, we know this from contact tracing.
“And through our contacting tracing system we’ve identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly.
“We’re therefore taking the following action in Bolton starting immediately. We will restrict all hospitality to takeaways-only and we’ll introduce a late-night restriction of operating hours which will mean all venues will be required to close from 10pm to 5am.
“We’ll introduce urgently further measures that put the current guidance that people cannot socialise outside their household into law.”
