Coronavirus lockdown eased in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorks as play centres, gyms and casinos to reopen

COVID restrictions are to be eased in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire after infection rates fell.

Pools, gyms and sports facilities will be allowed to open from Tuesday in the remaining areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford and Leicester.

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And casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, exhibition halls, conference centres, and indoor soft play centres will be able to reopen across Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

They will also be able to open throughout Greater Manchester – apart from Bolton.

Newark and Sherwood, Slough and Wakefield will be removed from Public Health England’s watchlist where they were “areas of concern”.

But South Tyneside, Leeds, Corby, Middlesbrough and Kettering have been added following a rise in cases.

RESTRICTIONS EASED

Norfolk, Rossendale, Northampton are now classed as “areas of enhanced support” and Bolton and Trafford “areas of intervention”.

The changes to restrictions and the PHE list came as Matt Hancock praised local lockdowns for containing the virus.

The Health Secretary said figures showing cases have fallen to an estimated 2,000 a day in England prove targeted action is working.

He praised Brits for following guidelines so the country can continue to unlock and “safely return to normal”.

The Office for National Statistics estimates 27,100 people had the bug in the week ending August 25 – equal to 1 in 2,000.

And it believes there were 2,000 new cases a day – down from 2,200 a day the previous week and equal to 3.6 per 100,000 people.

Leeds has been declared a Covid “area of concern” after youths attending house parties caused infections to rocket.

The local council leader said the City remains open but is at a “tipping point” and residents must socialise responsibly.

Leeds City Council said its latest seven-day infection figures show a rate of 32.4 per 100,000.

HOUSE PARTY FEARS

It added: “The spread is broad and changeable across wards and cases have also been increasingly detected in younger people aged 18 to 34, with some concern over activities like house parties and gatherings.”

Being on the watchlist means the city will be subject to increased monitoring but will not face further restrictions yet.

Council leader Judith Blake said: “We completely understand that these past six months have put a tremendous strain on everyone in Leeds and that being able to get out, socialise and enjoy ourselves has provided a massive lift.

“But it is absolutely crucial that if we want to continue to do that, we all do it sensibly and responsibly and follow the latest guidance which is there to keep us all safe.”

Our local restrictions approach, in partnership with local areas, is working to contain the virus

Matt Hancock

Mr Hancock said: “Today’s ONS data shows NHS Test and Trace and our local restrictions approach, in partnership with local areas, is working to contain the virus and is supporting the country to safely return to normal.

“This reassuring news is testament to the hard work of everybody in following social distancing guidelines to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.”

People in London are most likely to have Covid antibodies, with 11 per cent appearing to have previously had the infection.

Those in the South West are least likely to have antibodies, at just 3.5 per cent, the ONS surveillance study reveals.

Ten more people in the UK have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 41,537.

A further 1,940 positive cases were reported in the previous 24 hours, with the tally now standing at 342,351.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) estimates the R-rate across the UK is between 0.9 and 1.1.

And it believes the epidemic could be shrinking by 1 per cent a day or growing by up to 2 per cent a day.