Saddleworth hotelier - Why are we being forced to stay closed?

Ten restaurants located in one of Oldham’s Tier 3 designated areas have had no cases of coronavirus attributable to visiting or working in their establishments, says a hotelier.

More than 125,000 diners have visited these venues since re-opening on July 4, but they were forced to close on November 4.

No cases of coronavirus have been found to have been passed on.

In July, August and the first two weeks of September the nation's 'R' Rate continued to go down while the restaurant sector had a bumper two months. 

Even accounting for the lag in data, the 'R' Rate only started to increase in the third week of September once schools had returned at the beginning of the month and universities soon after.

Oldham’s average rate of infection averaged during this period at 80 in 100,000 people. 

Thoughts indicate there should have been at least 100 cases of coronavirus attributed to working or visiting these establishments. But there are none.

Restaurants following the correct protocols and guidelines are covid safe.

With the hospitality sector closed, more people are visiting relatives and friends in households, and the government accepts this represents a higher risk factor for the spread of this disease.

With the placing Greater Manchester into Tier 3 with the forced closure of restaurants, outlet owners are “incredulous” at the decisions.

"We’ve followed the guidelines, proved we can make our establishments Covid safe, and the evidence is there for everyone to see," said Charles Brierley of the White Hart and Dinnerstone, in Saddleworth.

"The restaurants following the guidelines are not contributing to the spread of this disease, even in Tier 3 areas.

"Oldham has twice been the highest rate of infection in the UK, yet we still had no cases passed on by visiting our establishments.

"Why then are we being forced to stay closed?"

The ten establishments are the White Hart at Lydgate; Dinnerstone, the Wagon, Muse, the Shalimar Narváez, the Cross Keys, Uppermill, the Old Original, Scouthead, the Roebuck, Strinesdale, the Farrars Arms, Grasscroft and the Old Bell in Delph.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.