Labour shamed: After MPs attacked PM’s Manchester lockdown, WHO praises Boris’ response

LABOUR MPs who attacked Boris Johnson's plan to place Greater Manchester into a second lockdown have been shamed after the World Health Organisation praised the Prime Minister's response.

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At the end of July, health secretary Matt Hancock introduced new restriction measures for the Greater Manchester area after cases of the deadly pandemic began to soar. The decision was widely criticised by Labour MPs.

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy, the Labour MP for Wigan, tweeted the news out and urged for more information on the new measures.

Ms Nandy said: “Told tonight this applies to homes AND gardens but you can still visit public spaces where social distancing measures are in place.

“People will have a lot of questions and we are pressing for more information quickly.

“It is really hard but please follow advice and stay safe.”

Boris Johnson praised by WHO for northern lockdown

Boris Johnson praised by WHO for northern lockdown (Image: Getty)

Face masks are now mandatory on public transport

Face masks are now mandatory on public transport (Image: PA)

Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, said the news had led to “many questions”.

“My understanding is that this is a precautionary measure to stop people going to other households,” she said.

“It doesn’t affect other activities like travel, childcare, going to work, hairdressers etc.”

With Jim McMahon, Labour MP for Oldham West & Royton, tweeting: “On the face of it, for Oldham borough residents this is the same restriction announced already this week, replicated in further areas.

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Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central,

Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, (Image: PA)

“As well as publishing a list, I’m sure all of us would welcome the Government adding what more they will do to support us, jobs and our economy.”

Mr Johnson was criticised for his confusing advice after allowing pubs and restaurants to remain open but banning people from entering another person’s home.

However, despite criticism from the opposition, the head of the World Health Organisation has praised Mr Johnson’s swift action.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed the UK, as well as France, were countries that “were able to suppress” the virus by taking action.

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UK coronavirus cases mapped

UK coronavirus cases mapped (Image: Express)

Speaking at a media brief, Mr Ghebreyesus said: “Over the last few days, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson put areas of northern England under stay at home notifications, as clusters of cases were identified.

“In France, President Macron introduced compulsory masking in busy outdoor spaces of Paris in response to an increase in cases.

“Strong and precise measures like these, in combination with utilising every tool at our disposal are key to preventing any resurgence in disease and allowing societies to be reopened safely.

“Even in countries where transmission is intense, it can be brought under control by applying an all of government, all of society response.

Manchester went back into lockdown last month

Manchester went back into lockdown last month (Image: Getty)

“Chains of transmission have been broken by combination of rapid case identification, comprehensive contact tracing, adequate clinical care for patients, physical distancing, mask wearing, regular cleaning of hands and coughing away from others.

“Whether countries or regions have successfully eliminated the virus, suppressed transmission to a low level, or are still in the midst of a major outbreak; now is the time to do it all, invest in the basics of public health and we can save both lives and livelihoods.”

Mr Ghebreyesus went on to say there is a glimmer of hope and said it’s “never too late to turn the outbreak around”.

Coronavirus deaths in the UK surpass 45,000

Coronavirus deaths in the UK surpass 45,000 (Image: PA)

He said: “But I want to be clear, there are green shoots of hope and no matter where a country, a region, a city or a town is - it’s never too late to turn the outbreak around.

“There are two essential elements to addressing the pandemic effectively: Leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures.”

The UK has the highest death toll across the whole of Europe and yesterday recorded more than 1,000 new cases in a day for the first time since June.

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