Salford has 110 new confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the cumulative total to 4,738, up from the previous day's 4,628.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, cases in Manchester rose to 12,958 (up from 12,625), followed by Bolton 6,343 (up from 6,186), Oldham with 5,683 (up from 5,584), Wigan 5,422 (up from 5,252), Rochdale 4,872 (up from 4,737), Tameside 4,156 (up from 4,082), Stockport 4,127 (up from 3,968), Trafford 3,689 (up from 3,569) and Bury 3,806 (up from 3,717).
There have been no new virus-related deaths at Salford Royal Hospital.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced three new tiers of restrictions: Tier 1 Medium; Tier 2 High and Tier 3 Very High (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Salford and Greater Manchester have been placed in Tier 2, High, and last night the Government published a definitive list of what people can and cannot do...
These are the same restrictions for those places in the Medium tier but with extra restrictions. So, like Tier 1 places, all businesses selling food and drink must close by 10pm, although takeout deliveries can continue after this time. Schools, universities and places of worship can remain open. Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees. Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is followed. People must not meet in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors.
On top of these restrictions, Tier 2 places, including Salford and Greater Manchester, have the following rules...
• People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
• People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space.
• People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport.
To read about the full Local COVID Alert Levels see thre Government website – click here
Meanwhile, the Government's financial package for those businesses that will endure hardship and those employees losing work through the restrictions have come under fire from Worsley and Eccles South MP Barbara Keeley remotely addressing the House of Commons...
The Government is offering only two thirds of wages to affected workers, rather than the 80% paid to those on the previous furlough scheme (for a full background see Andy Burnham's press conference – click here)
"If we are going to beat this virus we need a full package of support in all Tier 2 and 3 areas which pays everyone affected at 80% of their wages" she said "Can the Prime Minister commit to providing that support?"
Boris Johnson ducked the question, responding "I'm proud of this Government's record in raising the Living Wage by record sums and she will have heard what I said earlier on this afternoon about continuing with our support for Universal Credit for the whole of this financial year...continuing with the uplift in Universal Credit."
The TUC also underlined the Salford MP's sentiments, with its General Secretary Frances O'Grady and North West Regional Secretary Lynn Collins writing to MPs urging them to demand answers from the Government on job support.
The TUC is calling for a three-pronged local furlough approach:
• The local furlough scheme should reimburse employers for 80% of the wages of their workers.
• Businesses based in local lockdown areas that are affected by low demand but not required to close should be eligible for an enhanced local Job Support Scheme. The Government should cover 60% of wages for non-working time, with the employer covering 20%.
• The Government should help self-employed by increasing the payments rate of the self-employment income support scheme round 3 from 20% to 60% of taxable monthly profits for those who can demonstrate renewed reductions in demand as a result of additional local restrictions.
"The lockdown measures announced today will have an enormous impact on the lives of working people in Greater Manchester" says Lynn Collins, TUC North West Regional Secretary "We know there are also further worries about what might come next after so long dealing with restrictions. Yet the government's job support package remains inadequate.
"The region is already facing real challenges with public health" she adds "Hospitalisations are rising and our front-line NHS workers are working hard as they attempt to keep everyone safe and well. Ministers must do more to prevent unnecessary hardship and distraction and local MPs need to take the government to task on this.
"We have been clear on what's needed to save jobs and livelihoods" she explains "Wage replacement should be 80% where businesses are forced to close. Firms which are hit by stricter local restrictions but aren't required to close need a more generous short-time working scheme. And there needs to be extra help for the overlooked self-employed in local lockdown areas too. And the Government must get a grip on its chaotic test and trace system and pay a living wage sick pay to everyone self-isolating."
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