Greater Manchester will move from local COVID alert level high to very high from 00.01 on Friday 23 October.

This means that new measures will come into place including:

• people must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
• people must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue
• all pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals
• betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres and soft play areas will close
• people should try to avoid travelling outside the very high alert level or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey
• residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the very high alert area

In Greater Manchester, infection rates are among the highest in the country. As of 12 October, the weekly average for new cases was 1,591, an increase of 302% in one month since 12 September.

To support the local authority during this period, the government will be providing a £22 million funding package to protect public health and local economies, including compliance, enforcement and contact tracing activity across Greater Manchester. The government will also continue to discuss further business support funding with local leaders in line with what was agreed for Lancashire and Merseyside.

local COVID alert level very high will take effect across all parts of Greater Manchester:

• Bolton
• Bury
• Manchester
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Salford
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan

Measures will only be in place as long as necessary, with case rates and epidemiology reviewed regularly. The restrictions in Greater Manchester will be reviewed by at least 11 November.

Guidance for Greater Manchester has been published:

• Local COVID alert level: very high (Greater Manchester)