'Numerous' pubs and restaurants are flouting Greater Manchester's local lockdown restrictions according to the region's night time economy adviser.
Sacha Lord has issued a warning to businesses breaking the rules that they risk a larger lockdown like that imposed in Aberdeen yesterday.
New measures were introduced across Greater Manchester last week following rising rates of confirmed coronavirus cases, banning people from different households from mixing in homes and private gardens.
Residents have also been told not to meet indoors at pubs, bars and restaurants, although up to six people from different households - or larger groups from only two households - may still meet in beer gardens and outdoor dining areas.
Legislation governing the new rules does not make it illegal to meet inside hospitality premises - but Sacha has warned 'it really is on us' all to follow the guidance and avoid more stringent measures.
"It is clearly a very difficult time for everyone involved in the hospitality and leisure industries and the majority of operators are working their hardest to keep people safe," he said.
"But over the past week, I have heard of numerous pubs, bars and restaurants who have been squeezing customers in, flouting social distancing rules, ignoring contact tracing and actively persuading mixed groups not to cancel bookings.
"These venues clearly have a disregard for the safety of both their customers and their staff, and I support our Mayor, Andy Burnham, and Greater Manchester Police in taking action over repeat breaches in these venues.
"It’s also crucial that the general public takes responsibility too. We must work together to show venues that we will not stand for those who break the rules. If you feel uncomfortable, or that an establishment does not have the right procedures in place then I urge you to take your booking elsewhere."
In Aberdeen, restaurants, pubs and bars have been ordered to close for at least a week after the number of cases linked to bars in the city centre rose to 54 by Wednesday.
Residents are also banned from meeting with members of other households indoors and told not to travel more than five miles from their home.
“These are the types of stricter regulations we absolutely want to avoid here in Greater Manchester," said Sacha.
Urging people here to take the household restrictions seriously too, he added: "As this week’s heat wave draws in, it seems unnatural not to be with our friends and go out, but we have seen a big spike in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks in our region and the regulations are in place for a reason - to keep you safe.
"Disregarding social distancing not only puts yourself in danger, but also those you meet on your way home, at work, and those who live with you.
"It’s vital that we only stick to socialising within our household groups and refrain from mixing with others for the next couple of weeks until infections can be brought under control. It really is on us if we want to avoid a larger lockdown.”
