Government 'updating' local Covid guidance after confusion

25 May 2021, 14:50 | Updated: 25 May 2021, 19:28

There will not be a Covid lockdown in Bolton, the borough's council leader confirmed
There will not be a Covid lockdown in Bolton, the borough's council leader confirmed. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

The Government plans to "update" local Covid guidance after 24 hours of confusion and controversy over whether people should travel in and out of eight areas in England.

Guidance changed on the gov.uk website last week which told people to avoid Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside - but was only noticed and questioned on Monday evening.

After talks with ministers on Tuesday, angry local leaders confirmed that no new Covid restrictions or local lockdowns are being put in place where the variant has been detected.

READ MORE: Government changes Covid-19 guidance in 8 areas - with no official announcement

Bolton council leader David Greenhalgh told a press conference on Tuesday: "We are in a position to be able to say with assuredness that there are no added restrictions coming to Bolton.

"There is no local lockdown and the position in Bolton remains the same as it did at the time of the Prime Minister's announcement 10 days or so ago."

He also confirmed that people should not cancel their bank holiday plans but continue to be cautious when meeting with others.

Residents in Bolton will not be placed under a new lockdown, leaders have confirmed
Residents in Bolton will not be placed under a new lockdown, leaders have confirmed. Picture: PA Images

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who joined the conference, said that late republishing of guidance - which do not have any legal weight behind them - had thrown people's plans "into chaos" ahead of bank holiday Monday next week.

He said: "Obviously there's been a huge amount of confusion across the system and this would appear to be, in my view, a fairly major communications error of the kind that we saw a lot of last year but we haven't seen recently.

"But it does have a real impact on people's lives and I think this is the important thing to say - it doesn't just affect Bolton residents, although it does affect them very much, but people have to remember that Bolton residents work in other parts of Greater Manchester and other residents in our nine other boroughs work in Bolton."

Mr Bunham added: "We're hearing schools are confused about whether school trips can happen, amateur sports has been thrown into chaos as a result, people will have plans for the bank holiday and all of it just needs clearing up."

READ MORE: British travellers urged not to visit Spain despite country lifting restrictions

The region's coronavirus case rate has jumped in the past week, with 84.3 per 100,000 people infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, Leicester’s public health director Professor Ivan Browne also confirmed that the republished guidance is not tantamount to additional restrictions and that people should continue to follow the national rules.

He said: "We had an urgent meeting with Government reps and other affected local authorities today after we became aware that the Government had updated its website to include specific advice around Leicester and some other areas where the new Covid-19 variant has been identified as spreading.

"These officials confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas and it was a mistake to suggest there was.”

Residents in areas affected by the Indian variant have been told to act cautiously
Residents in areas affected by the Indian variant have been told to act cautiously. Picture: PA Images

However, he went on to say that people should be cautious and make “sensible judgements”.

In North Tyneside, the council also confirmed that there are no new travel restrictions in or out of the area.

"There are no local lockdowns," Wendy Burke, Director of Public Health for North Tyneside, said.

“In areas where the new COVID variant is spreading we are all working together to boost testing and vaccination and to support self-isolation.

"There are sensible public health precautions people can take as individuals in line with the sorts of advice we have all been following throughout the pandemic."

EXPLAINED: Can you travel to affected areas?

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We will be updating the guidance for areas where the new COVID-19 variant is spreading to make it clearer we are not imposing local restrictions.

"Instead, we are providing advice on the additional precautions people can take to protect themselves and others in those areas where the new variant is prevalent.

"This includes, wherever possible, trying to meet outdoors rather than indoors, keeping 2 metres apart from anyone you don’t live with and minimising travel in and out the area.

"These are not new regulations but they are some of the ways everyone can help bring the variant under control in their local area.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A mural of former England football manager Sam Allardyce

Mystery artwork of former England boss eating chips appears in town centre

A man wearing a tie

Britain and its people are not safe, former Nato chief warns Parliament

Moment man, 21, arrested after confessing to murder of family friend at bus stop before sexually abusing her corpse

Moment man, 21, arrested after admitting friend's murder at bus stop before confessing to sexually abusing her corpse

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.

Manchester United reach agreement to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo in £71m transfer

Mo Chara, DJ Provaí and Móglaí Bap of Kneecap at Glastonbury Festival 2025

Police to take no further action over Kneecap's Glastonbury performance as Irish rap trio slam 'political policing'

Russian President Vladimir Putin

UK sanctions Russian spies at heart of Putin's regime over ‘campaign to destabilise Europe’

Far-right anti-immigration protestors scuffle with a cordon of riot police which prevented them from approaching a smaller group of anti-hate counter-protestors.

Two arrested and eight officers assaulted as clashes erupt after anti-immigrant mob descends on Epping asylum hotel

Shocking footage of a brawl at Highbury and Islington Tube station has gone viral.

Police probe disturbing viral phone footage of brawl at London Tube station with baby stranded on floor

An aircraft covered in red paint

Four face 2027 trial over alleged Palestine Action aircraft damage

The Old Bailey

Teenager admits plotting terror attack with gun

Kate Beckinsale with her mum Judy Loe during a visit to College House Junior School.

Kate Beckinsale reveals mum died in her arms after 'immeasurable suffering' in emotional Instagram post

ormer England captain Paul Ince (left) leaving Chester Magistrates' Court where he has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £7,085, after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Former England captain Paul Ince slapped with 12-month driving ban for drink-driving

John Torode was sacked by the BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger.

John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger

Serious water pollution incidents surged in England last year.

Serious water pollution incidents surge 60% in England in a year as firms blasted for 'national disgrace'

x

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner ‘died in mid air’ before crashing into hotel worker in front of horrified witnesses

Katie Amess

Prevent review 'a waste of time' says daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess - after killer labelled ‘great person’