A POLITICAL row has meant no decision has been made on whether Leigh and the rest of Greater Manchester will face harsher coronavirus restrictions.

As London was moved up into Tier Two, a call between Greater Manchester leaders and Downing Street officials saw them fail to reach an agreement on new restrictions and there will be further meetings later today, a source said.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been resisting following the neighbouring Liverpool City Region into Tier Three restrictions.

Lancashire MPs have been told that the region will stay under Tier Two restrictions, despite speculation it would move into Tier Three.

Ministers are holding a series of talks with MPs from the regions affected by the changes ahead of Health Secretary Matt Hancock giving a Commons update on the measures.

Leigh and its surrounding areas were placed under the second tier of coronavirus restrictions earlier this week.

Tier Two 'high alert' level restrictions mean, restrictions include that people must not socialise with anybody outside of their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place and must not socialise in a group of more than six outside.

Tier Three 'very high' alert restrictions would include pubs and bars only being able to stay open if they can operate as if they were a restaurant.

Also, gyms, casinos and adult gaming centres would have to close and wedding receptions are not allowed.

People should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level area or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if travelling through as part of a longer journey

Also, they should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if resident in a very-high alert level area, or avoid staying overnight in a very-high alert level area if a resident elsewhere.