Wigan is set to be placed under extra coronavirus restrictions imminently, as cases continue to rise in the borough.
Boris Johnson announced new national rules this week, but the government still believes harsher localised restrictions are needed in areas with high infection rates.
Wigan currently has 106.8 cases per 100,000, putting it in the government's red alert level.
Wigan sits in Greater Manchester, where there are currently four sets of local rules covering the ten boroughs, with case numbers well above the national average everywhere.
But the government believes there needs to be more consistency across the North West as a whole.
This morning ministers held their weekly "gold" meeting to review local data and lockdown measures and are thought to have concluded that Stockport and Wigan - which are currently under looser restrictions due to previously lower rates - should be brought in line with the bulk of Greater Manchester, reports the Manchester Evening News.
As it stands, that would mean households there would no longer be able to meet in homes or gardens, apart from support bubbles.
The new measures would mean that most of Greater Manchester would be in line with the Merseyside and Lancashire restrictions that were imposed last week.
The Merseyside restrictions are:
- Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens;
- Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only; and
- Late night operating hours will be restricted, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10pm to 5am.
Keep up to date with coronavirus cases in your area by adding your postcode below
Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:
- Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
- Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.
It is unclear exactly when the government will announce its latest lockdown rules, but is likely to do so tomorrow.
