Published: Monday, 28th Sep 2020

Update on Bolton Council’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

COVID close contact restrictions lifted

How to report breaches of coronavirus rules

Authorities in Bolton have formed a joint taskforce to enforce coronavirus restrictions in the borough and residents are being reminded how to report potential breaches of the regulations.

New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force today

From today, people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Fines will also be introduced from today for those breaching self-isolation rules, starting at £1,000, in line with the existing penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel. This could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and the most serious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.

Employers who force or allow staff to come to work when they should be self-isolating will also be liable for fines of up to £10,000, sending a clear message that this will not be tolerated.

Late night deliveries and beauty treatments to resume in Bolton

Salons can resume close contact services and takeaways in Bolton can now make deliveries after 10pm, the government has confirmed.

New COVID-19 measures introduced in the borough earlier this month included an order for all hospitality businesses to operate as takeaway only and to close at 10pm.

Now the government has announced the following changes:

  • Hospitality businesses (restaurants, takeaways, cafes, bars, pubs) are still restricted to takeaway services only, but can now continue deliveries after 10pm (to deliver after 11pm businesses must have late night refreshment licences)
  • Remaining restrictions on close contact services (including face treatments, eyebrow threading and make-up application) have now been lifted

Information and FAQs about the current restrictions and guidance in the borough of Bolton are available on the council’s website, This will be updated regularly.

When you should book a coronavirus test for your child

The Chief Nurse and Interim Chief Medical Officer of NHS Test and Trace have written an open letter to parents and guardians about when they should book a coronavirus (COVID-19) test for their child.

The letter explains that you should only book a test if your child has any of these three coronavirus symptoms:

  • a high temperature: any new high temperature where your child feels hot to touch on their chest or back (you do not need to measure the temperature)
  • a new continuous cough: coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal

Your child does not need a test if they have a runny nose, are sneezing or feeling unwell but do not have a temperature, cough or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste. This is because these are not normally symptoms of coronavirus.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

The government has updated its guidance about how to make your workplace COVID-secure:

  • Close contact services - updated guidance on working from home (section 3), supporting staff to self-isolate (section 3.2) and mandatory PPE for staff (section 6.1).
  • Construction and other outdoor work - updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).
  • Factories, plants and warehouses -Updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).
  • Labs and research facilities -Updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).
  • Offices and contact centres - Updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).
  • Other people's homes -Updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).
  • Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services -Updated guidance on legal requirements for businesses (section 1), mandatory table service at licenced venues (section 2.2), working from home (section 3), supporting staff to self-isolate (section 3.2) and mandatory face coverings for staff and customers ​(section 6.1).
  • Shops and branches - Updated guidance on working from home (section 3), supporting staff to self-isolate (section 3.2) and mandatory face coverings for staff and customers (section 6.1).
  • Vehicles - Updated guidance on working from home (section 2) and supporting staff to self-isolate (section 2.2).

Privacy information relating to the NHS COVID-19 App

The NHS COVID-19 App is a new tool designed to reduce the threat of coronavirus to our health, whilst helping to keep the doors of businesses open. 

The app enables the public to automatically ‘check into’ a venue. They will then get alerted if they have recently visited a venue where they have come into contact with someone with coronavirus. It is also a legal requirement for certain businesses to display a QR code poster so that customers can check in safely and securely.

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user’s privacy. Read more about how it protects your data and privacy and also in this NHS Covid-19 privacy leaflet.

The following sectors are legally obliged to maintain a log of their customers and visitors and will need to display the QR poster and use the app:

This applies to:

  • Pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality settings open to the general public – these are currently closed under the Bolton Regulations or providing takeaway service. They will need to use the app once they are allowed to re-open.
  • Tourism and leisure venues including hotels, museums, leisure centres, gyms, cinemas etc.
  • Close contact services including hairdressers, barbers, tailors, beauty salons etc.
  • Facilities provided by council, including town halls and civic centres for events, community centres, libraries and children’s centres.
  • Places of worship, including use for events and other community activities.

Solicitor office can reopen after COVID inspection

A law firm has been given the all-clear to reopen its offices after an inspection by Bolton Council Environmental Health officers.

Accident Injury Solicitors were ordered to shut their Blackburn Road premises on September 11 after the council became aware of breaches of COVID-19 workplace regulations.

Consultation planned for Greater Manchester clean air plans and taxi standards

Residents are being urged to have their say as Greater Manchester gears up for two major public consultations about plans to clean up air quality and introduce a new set of standards for the taxi trade.

The GM Clean Air Plan includes introducing a government mandated Clean Air Zone (CAZ) across the region in 2022. Meanwhile plans for Minimum Licensing Standards for taxi and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators are also being proposed.

An eight-week consultation period will run from Thursday 8 October to Thursday 3 December 2020 – and Bolton residents, businesses and impacted groups can have their say.

The two consultations will run at the same time because of the significant overlap between the Clean Air Plan and the proposed emission standards in the taxi and private hire Minimum Licensing Standards.

For the latest updates

Bolton Council

Business Bolton

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Bolton at Home

Bolton CVS

Greater Manchester Fire Service

Transport for Greater Manchester (Link is no longer live).