GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged people not to visit family and friends in homes despite lockdown rules being lifted.
Mr Burnham branded the easing of restrictions in parts of Manchester “completely illogical”.
Last week, the Government announced the ban on people meeting up with different households indoors and in private gardens would be lifted in Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Burnley and Hynburn today.
But Mr Burnham told BBC Radio 4 that people in Bolton and Trafford should “continue to follow the guidance” and not have gatherings in homes.
He said: “We find ourselves at a completely unsustainable position this morning – that’s the politest way I can put it.
“Overnight we’ve had restrictions released in two boroughs where we’ve got a rising number of cases – in one case in the red zone.
“And neighbouring boroughs are still under restrictions but with much lower numbers of cases.
“These restrictions were always hard to explain to the public but they are completely illogical now.”
Council leaders in Bolton and Trafford have also begged for lockdown restrictions to be kept in place because of spiralling numbers of coronavirus cases.
In the week up to 29 August, there were 170 fresh cases in Bolton, up from 53 cases the week before – one of the highest rates in England with 59 cases per 100,000 residents.
