Manchester residents have been hit with a Bank Holiday outdoor drinking ban in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus while the city is under lockdown.
Police today announced they will stop people consuming alcohol outside over the weekend over fears large groups will break social distancing rules.
But people will still be able to drink in pubs and restaurants and beer gardens, which are not affected by the restrictions.
Mancunians were enraged by the move, with one commenting on Twitter: ‘Any other aspect of our life the authorities would like to control?’
Police today announced they will stop people consuming alcohol (pictured, a pub in the city last month) outside over the weekend over fears large groups will break social distancing rules
Inspector Jonathan Shilvock (left) said: ‘Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, events taking place over the bank holiday weekend have had to be cancelled.’ Right: The announcement by police
Inspector Jonathan Shilvock 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.
‘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.’
People will still be able to drink in pubs (pictured last month) and restaurants and beer gardens, which are not affected by the restrictions
Mancunians were enraged by the move, with one commenting on Twitter: ‘Any other aspect of our life the authorities would like to control?’ Pictured: A pub in Rochdale last month
Lockdown regulations were imposed across the North West last month after seeing a rise in new infections.
People living in different households are not allowed to meet each other indoors or in private gardens.
Mayor Andy Burnham said on Saturday the restrictions were starting to work and had been put in place for good reason.
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But Mancunians were incensed by the news their Bank Holiday plans may be spoilt and took to Twitter to vent their fury.
One posted: ‘Hahahahahaha excuse me, grow up!! Who’s having a house party?’
Another commented: ‘First children’s parties, then this… Going to start calling you the fun police at this rate.’
One woman wrote: ‘These new restrictions are never ending.’ Another added: ‘This is absolutely ridiculous. No need to ban the consumption of alcohol in open places.’
Police recorded 40 indoor gatherings in the city last Thursday and an extra 2,000 calls regarding rule-breaking house parties.
Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Leicester, Luton and Northampton all have coronavirus restrictions in place.
Northern areas are believe to continue with these in place after the next review is carried out tomorrow.
Mr Burnham earlier this week said restrictions in Greater Manchester were working and driving down case numbers.
He told the BBC the numbers were beginning to ‘move in the right direction’ and hoped more boroughs could soon be released from restrictions.
Figures published on Friday show there were 71.7 new cases per 100,000 people in Oldham in the seven days to August 18, down from 112.2 over the previous week.
Pendle, which is in second place behind Oldham, has a rate of 67.3, down from 108.6.
Mr Burnham (pictured last month) earlier this week said restrictions in Greater Manchester were working and driving down case numbers
Speaking on BBC News on Saturday, Mr Burnham said: ‘I think we are beginning to see the numbers move in the right direction and that includes Oldham, which saw a noticeable fall in the number of cases this week, and we have begun to see falls in other Greater Manchester boroughs as well.
‘We had the restrictions introduced about three weeks ago and I would say we have begun to see these restrictions are now working, so fingers crossed we can see more boroughs released from these measures soon.
‘But on the whole we think it was right to put these restrictions in and hopefully people can see now they were put in for a good reason.’
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