
COVID Update
The government has announced that Manchester will remain in Tier 3 after a review of Covid rules across England.
This means there is still a ban on social mixing in any indoor setting as well as in private gardens.

Have a Merry and Safe Christmas
We can all still enjoy Christmas, but please stay safe by following the COVID-19 restrictions in place from 23-27 December 2020. Remember to minimise the number of people you meet in the five days before 23 December to protect your loved ones.
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Be in one ‘bubble’ of up to three households, but you can’t change it
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Travel between tiers and UK nations to meet your bubble (remember to check the travel restrictions which apply in each UK nation/area)
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Meet your bubble in private homes/gardens, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
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Meet a group of up to six people outside your bubble in outdoor spaces
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Meet people outside your bubble in your home or garden
Make sure you reduce your contact with people you don’t live with for 2 weeks after last meeting with your bubble to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Manchester starts COVID community vaccinations
Wythenshawe was the first area of Manchester to start community-based vaccinations for COVID-19 on Wed 16 December at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre.
People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers are the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk. Those who are eligible will get a letter or call from their GP. Other areas across city will follow very soon.
Please continue to follow the social distancing, face covering and hand hygiene rules.
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Manchester's care homes are set to allow in-person visits again following months of separation
After months of only being able to see and hear loved ones through windows at care homes visitors will now be able to visit, in person, inside the home. From Monday (21 December) in Manchester, visits will be able to happen in person as long as the visitor is well and has had two negative Covid tests beforehand, and wears PPE during their time in the home. The measures are designed to reunite loved ones in a safe way – while protecting everyone else in the home and its staff.
Govt announces UK COVID isolation period changed to 10 days
Self-isolation for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus has been shortened from 14 to 10 days across the UK from Monday 14 December.
The change will also apply to people instructed to quarantine after returning from high-risk countries.
And it means anyone who has been self-isolating for 10 days or more will be able to end their quarantine on Monday 14 December.
Read the government’s announcement.
Sarah’s special Santa Clause: help for parents and carers on Covid questions and Father Christmas
One of Manchester’s public health team has made a special festive film for youngsters – aimed at keeping the magic of Christmas and allaying any fears related to the Covid pandemic.
Sarah Doran, a public health consultant – made the film as something parents and carers could show children – to answer any questions they may have about the Big Man, his little helpers - and of course the reindeer – while we are living in a world with restrictions and differences from previous years.
View Sarah’s film on YouTube
Get help with your child's learning
Are you worried your child may have missed some learning during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Do you sometimes struggle to support your children with schoolwork?
Our adult education service runs free online family learning courses, which will help you to support your children, but can also further your own education and even open new job opportunities. Find out more at manadulted.org.uk/courses/families/
We are also running online courses to help parents/guardians of three to seven year olds with book sharing skills. You can sign up at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FamilyReading
COVID Business Support Grants
1,000 Christmas grant If you are a 'wet pub' and have already received a Local Restriction Support Grant, you don't need to do another application to get the extra £1,000 grant announced by Government. We'll use the details from your original application to send you a simple form to complete and return.
You'll need to provide a copy of your accounts up to March 2020 (this has been requested by Government) and sign a declaration to confirm that no more than 50% of your income is from food to qualify. If you are not sure what to send, send us what proof you have, and we'll check it against the Government guidance.
Local Restriction Support Grants We have already paid out over £3m in Local Restriction Support Grants to businesses in the city affected by COVID restrictions and closures. You can apply even if you get rates relief and so don't pay anything this year.
Check to see if your business is eligible and apply online. You just need to tell us the earliest date you were required to close, and we'll work out how much you are entitled to. Easy!
Plus, If you're in the Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Hospitality or Leisure Services sector, you may be eligible for an additional backdated grant to August of between £3,000 and £6,825. We'll pay this automatically; you won't need to make a separate application.
Apply now at www.manchester.gov.uk/LRSG
Additional Restriction Grants (ARG)
You might not be eligible for a Local Restriction Support Grant but if your business has been affected financially you might be due a slice of the £11.7m fund available to provide Additional Restrictions Grants. These grants cover two main groups:
- Businesses with property costs that had to close as they are non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure or beauty services but couldn't claim form other schemes because they were not registered for business rates.
- You can still claim an ARG even if your business is now open again.
Businesses with fixed property costs, supplying or supporting the hospitality, accommodation, and leisure sectors that have been hit hard by the national and local COVID restrictions. You can apply if you have a business rates bill in your name and if you don't. If you don't, you'll need to have property related costs, for example rent for a stall.
Check eligibility and apply online: www.manchester.gov.uk/ARG

Manchester Community Response Hub Christmas opening hours
The Community Response Hub offers support to Manchester's most vulnerable people to help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. The Hub’s Christmas opening times are:
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25-28 December Closed
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29-31 December Open 9am-5pm
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1-3 January Closed
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4 Jan Open 9am-5pm
Help with Debt, Bills and Borrowing
If you are not working or furloughed at the moment due to COVID-19 and need help with debt, bills or borrowing, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands for advice and support.
Remember the golden rules
👋 Hands 😷 Face ↔ Space
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