Town hall leaders in Rochdale have announced a range of measures - effective immediately - aimed at preventing a local lockdown.
The borough has the fourth highest coronavirus infection rate in the country, behind only Leicester, Blackburn and Bradford, according to figures covering June 29 to July 12.
And although the rate is still well below Leicester, where a local lockdown has been introduced, the local authority says the number of cases in Rochdale is not falling quickly.
So in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus, people in the borough are being 'strongly advised' to:
Wear face masks in shops now – do not wait until 24 July
Wear face masks in public as much as possible
Limit visitors to your home to two people
Keep 2 metres apart at all times
Avoid physical contact with anyone outside your own household, including shaking hands or hugging
Get tested and isolate if you are told to do so
The measures will be reviewed in two weeks’ time.
The council’s director of public health, Andrea Fallon, said: "The fight against coronavirus is not over.
"Although lockdown measures are being relaxed across the country, we can see from our local data that we need to remain vigilant to the threat posed by the disease.
"We have increased testing and that has shown us that we need to take action and ask everyone to help keep our infection rate down."
Council leader Allen Brett said: "All of us need to do whatever we can to keep the virus under control.
"Although we are a long way from the Leicester situation, we cannot be complacent and it is vital that everyone does what they can to keep this virus under control."
Residents can book a coronavirus test by calling 0808 1964 100 or by visiting the NHS website.
