POLITICAL leaders have called for calm after a major incident was declared in Greater Manchester in response to increases in coronavirus infection rates across “multiple localities”.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, urged residents to stay calm after public service leaders decided to increase their readiness as they grapple with the escalating coronavirus transmission rates in the region.

“People should not be alarmed that a major incident has been declared,” Sir Richard said.

The Labour politician called the move “standard practice for complex situations” and said it would allow a “central command structure” to be created to enable agencies to “draw on extra resources”.

The decision to declare a major incident was taken by the Strategic Coordination Group on the weekend after they met to discuss the increased lockdown restrictions announced last week across parts of the North West.

The new measures forbid people from different households from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens, while also banning separate households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues.

Out of the top 20 worst affected local authority areas for Covid-19 infections in England, Greater Manchester boroughs - home to almost 3 million people - comprise more than a third of the list, with seven entries.

Oldham, the second worst affected borough in the country, recorded a seven-day infection rate rise from 41.6 to 62.8 per 100,000 people, with 148 new cases reported in the past week.

Other areas reporting notable week-on-week rises in Greater Manchester include Trafford (up from 31.3 to 38.1, with 90 new cases); Manchester (up from 18.6 to 34.3, with 188 new cases); Tameside (up from 12.9 to 28.4, with 64 new cases) and Stockport (up from 13.7 to 22.6, with 66 new cases).

By contrast Bolton’s week by week rise has stayed static at 17.9 with 51 new cases.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “It is important that residents know that the declaration of a ‘major incident’ is not an escalation on what was announced on Thursday.

“The decision taken by the Greater Manchester’s Strategic Coordination Group to declare a ‘major incident’ will allow partners such as the police to access additional resources and respond more effectively to any developing situation.

“It is also important to remember that the local restrictions on households were introduced last week by government as an early intervention measure, to prevent the need for more drastic action like we have seen in other places.

“It is important that we all maintain our social distancing of two metres, wear face coverings in all enclosed spaces, and wash our hands frequently to stop the spread of the virus.”