Lockdown restrictions will continue for another week in Greater Manchester. 

Current rules on gatherings will remain in place and casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys and indoor play centres will not be allowered to open, the Department for Health and Social Care has this afternoon confirmed. 

Restrictions on household gatherings were first introduced two weeks ago to tackle a rise in coronavirus cases across the region. 

Measures have also been implemented in East Lancashire, West Yorkshire, and Leicester.

A Greater Manchester Combined Authority spokesperson said: “The Mayor of Greater Manchester and leaders once again agreed on Wednesday that increased restrictions should continue across the city-region for another week.

“The situation in Greater Manchester remains challenging. It is clear that while the current restrictions appear to be having a positive effect in some places, we urgently need to bring the number of cases down in several boroughs.

"Everyone in Greater Manchester must do all they can to reduce the number of cases. That means individuals, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets all taking this seriously and following all the regulations.

“We will continue to work as one Greater Manchester system with a particular focus on providing support to Oldham as they strengthen further their intensive test and trace operation.

“We understand that this is a frustrating time for business owners, particularly in the areas affected, and it is important that these restrictions are reviewed on a weekly basis.

"We do not want any part of Greater Manchester to go in lockdown. But this requires us all to pull together right now. It’s a moment in which we all need to be aware of what is happening, follow the guidance and protect the health of everyone in Greater Manchester.”

The rules mean households cannot mix indoors - unless they are in a support bubble - and limits remain on numbers meeting outside.

Health Minister Edward Argar said: "I'd like to thank everyone in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester for their continued patience in following these vital rules put in place to tackle the spread of the disease - I know it hasn't been easy.

"We will review the measures again next week as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the latest data.

"It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to continue to follow the rules - wash your hands regularly, follow social distancing, get yourself a free test as soon as you get any symptoms, and isolate if NHS Test and Trace tells you to."