Outdoor drinking banned as lockdown tightens in Manchester

Drinking outdoors has been banned in Manchester city centre over the Bank Holiday weekend due to coronavirus safety fears. Police will enforce the new measures over the weekend, fearing too many revellers will be out drinking in open spaces and breaking social distancing guidelines. However Mancunians will still be allowed to drink in pubs and restaurants. People in the city are already banned from meeting people from different households indoors or in private gardens after the Government re-imposed lockdown restrictions in large parts of the north after a spike in Covid-19 cases. 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.