Hotels in Bolton do not have to close

A government spokesperson has confirmed that hotels in Bolton are not required to close and people can continue to stay in hotels and other overnight accommodation.

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced yesterday that hospitality businesses in Bolton were restricted to takeaway-only, that all venues would be required to close from 10pm to 5am, and it is be against the law in the town for people to socialise outside their household.

Hancock said there have been a "very significant" rise in cases in the town – 120 cases per 100,000 population, the highest case rate in the country – which he said was "partly due to people socialising in their 20s and 30s". He said a number of pubs had also been identified through contact tracing in which the virus had "spread significantly".

Further restrictions have been introduced across the country this week. Social gatherings of more than six people are set to banned in England from Monday, including in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality settings.

And as of yesterday evening people are also not allowed to enter or leave the Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse. People are only able to meet outdoors and are not allowed to meet other people from other households indoors in any indoor hospitality setting, such as pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants.

Hospitality businesses such as pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants in the Caerphilly County Borough area will remain open for now, but this is being kept under review. This is also understood to include hotels.