Outdoor drinking banned in Manchester city centre on Bank Holiday weekend amid social distancing fears

Police have banned outdoor drinking in Manchester city centre over the Bank Holiday weekend over fears revellers may flout social distancing rules.

Drinkers will still be allowed to go to pubs and bars but will not be allowed to drink in non-licensed public spaces, Greater Manchester Police said.

The city's popular annual Pride festival was due to take place this weekend but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire remain in local lockdown - with stricter measures in force in Oldham - after a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Inspector Jonathan Shivlock said: "Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, events taking place over the bank holiday weekend have had to be cancelled for fears around public health and a possible lack of social distancing.

"In previous years during managed and licensed events people have been permitted to consume alcohol in open spaces.

"However due to this year's events being cancelled, and for the fear of the effect it has on public health, there is a Public Space Protection Order in place in Manchester city centre which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in a non-licenced public place and will be enforced this weekend by Greater Manchester Police.

"Public health is one of GMP's priorities and we will do all that we can to ensure the population comply with the legislation, keeping the population safe."

He added: "We urge anyone planning on gathering in the city centre this weekend to think twice, listen to government guidelines and protect the health of your family and friends by keeping to the social distancing rules this weekend."

It comes after officers in the city attended at least 40 house parties on a single night last week.

Lockdown curbs in the “northern area of intervention” are due to be reviewed on Thursday in a meeting of the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), chaired by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty.

Political leaders in Stockport and Bolton have asked the Government to lift coronavirus restrictions in their boroughs, which ban different households from mixing in homes, after rules were eased in Wigan, Rossendale and parts of Blackburn with Darwen.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said “political consensus” had been reached in both boroughs to push for the removal of curbs, imposed a month ago.

But council leaders across Greater Manchester agreed to request that restrictions remain in place in Oldham, Manchester, Rochdale, Bury, Tameside, Salford and Trafford.

Mr Burnham told reporters: “While there is progress in many of our boroughs there are still high numbers of cases and of course we do now have to think about the imminent return of schools and planning safely for that."

Read more

Masks made mandatory for school pupils in local lockdown areas- LIVE

Children showed 'significant' improvement in behaviour in lockdown

Rave of 300 people among dozens of illegal parties broken up overnight

Lockdown fears for Birmingham amid 'concerning' rise in cases