Coronavirus: Bolton’s restrictions tightened amid surge in cases

Tighter restrictions have been introduced in Bolton, including only allowing take-out from hospitality venues, following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The new measures also include a curfew that will require all venues to close between 10 PM and 5 AM.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the city of Greater Manchester had “the highest case rate in the country.”

He said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which had already been under stricter lockdown measures.

The announcement comes after ministers and government advisers expressed concern about a “sharp increase” in cases in the UK, especially among young people.

Hancock told the House of Commons: “Unfortunately, after improving for several weeks, we have seen a very significant increase in cases in Bolton.

“The increase in cases … is due in part to the socialization of people in their 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.

“And through our contact tracing system, we have identified a number of pubs where the virus has spread significantly.”

In addition to restricting hospitality venues, he said visitor limits will also be set at Bolton nursing homes.

He said: “I want us to learn the lesson from Spain, the United States and France, that we do not have to learn the lesson again ourselves through more hospitalizations and more deaths, and take this action locally in Bolton.”

The move comes after plans to ease restrictions at Bolton were lifted last week following a spike in Covid-19 cases.