PUBS and restaurants in Bolton will be forced to close early and do takeaways only after a huge spike in coronavirus cases, Matt Hancock said today.
New restrictions will be put on the Northern town after cases spiralled to the highest rate in the country at 120 per 100,000 in the last week.
Businesses will have to close between 10pm and 5pm as part of a bid to stop the spread of the virus, he said.
And rules preventing households from meeting in public will also be enshrined in law, he said, meaning people will face £100 fines for breaking rules.
The Health Secretary told MPs that the virus “has spread in pubs significantly”.
Hospitality will have to be restricted, with all places shut early.
He said today: “We all have a part to play.
“Together we can tackle this, so long as we remember our actions today are consequences tomorrow.
“Each and every citizen has a responsibility to follow social distancing.”
The news comes after the UK
