Lockdown restrictions in the Greater Manchester area will be lifted in Trafford next week - against the wishes of local leaders.
Council leader Andrew Western confirmed this morning that the area will be released from local lockdown restrictions that had been in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.
He said that while leaders wanted to 'see restrictions lifted as soon possible, guided by data and when it is safe to do so', they didn't believe next week was the right time, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The government, he said, ignored that view.
Local leaders said that with schools going back next week, it is a 'delicate time' to ease restrictions.
The rate of infection in Trafford has been increasing slightly in the last few days, he added. The borough's current infection rate of 21.1 cases per 100,000 is almost twice the national average rate of infection of 11.7, Cllr Western said.
The borough has 'seen instances of Covid identified in every one of its 21 electoral wards' at some point in the last two weeks, he added.
He also highlited that Trafford is 'inextricably linked with other boroughs in Greater Manchester with people visiting these areas on a daily basis to work and socialise'.
Cllr Western slammed ministers for 'making a mockery of local decision making'.
It is understood restrictions will be lifted next week. Earlier this week, restrictions were relaxed in Wigan.
The decision means Trafford residents will be able to meet with other households indoors and in their gardens once more, while maintaining social distancing.
People cannot meet with different households that remain under stricter lockdown measures in other parts of Greater Manchester.
Cllr Western said: "It was our view – in line with the expert advice from the council’s cirector of public health – that we should see evidence of a sustained reduction in Trafford’s infection numbers before calling for the lifting of local restrictions.
"This is not yet the case, with the last few days showing a slight increase in infection rates again.
"We understand some will consider this to have been an overly cautious approach, but it has been one made with the safety of Trafford residents in mind. We believe it is slightly premature to lift restrictions relating to households at this time."
He added: "It is apparent that for all of their claims of working in collaboration with local authorities, the government has decided to overrule the council and lift restrictions in Trafford.
"Nobody in government has bothered to discuss this with the leader of the council or explained the reasoning for this decision to anybody within the council, and we reiterate our support for the position advocated by our director of public health.
"This action by government makes a mockery of the claims of locally led decision making and once again shows that local government is being ignored in spite of being on the front line of this crisis.
"This is incredibly disappointing and it is impossible not to think it is a political move following the changes to local decision making processes announced last week which gave a key role to MPs.
"This was a recipe for disaster given that many of them have themselves acknowledged that they do not have access to the expert public health advice councils do, and until that point had been nowhere near the civic response to this crisis."
Cllr Western recognised residents and businesses will be 'pleased and relieved' to see restrictions lifted.
He added: "We do accept this was a finely balanced issue. We will work over the coming days to lift the restrictions safely from next week and the safety of our residents will remain our top priority.
"Please continue to follow all relevant public health guidance: the virus has not gone away and we must work together to ensure the safety of our communities in the weeks and months ahead."
