Oldham to be spared full Covid economic lockdown, officials say

Restrictions in Wigan and parts of east Lancashire to be lifted before rest of region, MPs claim

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Oldham, which had the highest infection rate in the UK last week, is to be spared more draconian measures after officials successfully argued that a Leicester-style lockdown" would do little to reduce the spread of coronavirus, but would cripple the economy and fuel racism.

Meanwhile, Wigan, in Greater Manchester, and parts of east Lancashire are to be released from lockdown before the rest of the region as the government takes a much more targeted approach" to managing outbreaks, their MPs have claimed.