Drinkers in Manchester hit city centre for a night out despite new COVID restrictions

Groups of Friday drinkers flocked to Manchester’s pubs and bars on the hottest day of the year with beer gardens rammed despite the Government introducing new lockdown measures. 

As temperatures have risen across the country, people have been seen standing close together in pubs, contrary to recommendations from the government.

 It comes as new restrictions were announced in a bid to stop the increasing spread of coronavirus across Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said around 4.5million people in the north of England will be banned from meeting others from different households in their homes and gardens as of yesterday. 

However, households are able to go to bars, pubs and other hospitality venues but two households should not go together, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed. 

The news of local lockdowns and an increase in coronavirus cases didn’t stop revellers hitting the pubs on Friday night.

People in Manchester were snapped out on the town enjoying the heatwave as Britain bathed in what was officially the third hottest day in the UK ever.

Temperatures in Manchester reached a high of about 32 degrees while London sweltered at 37.8 degrees. 

Despite the restrictions were announced in the area, people still sat outside in the pub garden yesterday in Manchester

The streets of Manchester were packed with revellers on Friday night despite a local lockdown brought in to tackle the increase in coronavirus cases. The announcement was made on Thursday night by health secretary Matt Hancock

The streets of Manchester were packed with revellers on Friday night despite a local lockdown brought in to tackle the increase in coronavirus cases. The announcement was made on Thursday night by health secretary Matt Hancock

The new lockdown restrictions didn't dampen these pub-goers spirits as they enjoyed a night out in Manchester

The new lockdown restrictions didn’t dampen these pub-goers spirits as they enjoyed a night out in Manchester

Some in Manchester took precautions after a local lockdown was introduced to tackle the increase in COVID cases

Some in Manchester took precautions after a local lockdown was introduced to tackle the increase in COVID cases

People walk by the restaurants and cafes near The Printworks in the centre of Manchester yesterday afternoon

People walk by the restaurants and cafes near The Printworks in the centre of Manchester yesterday afternoon

The sweeping lockdown in northern England was met with fury – with the UK Health Secretary forced to defend the ‘deeply chaotic’ announcement.

Matt Hancock posted a tweet at 9.15pm on Thursday revealing that many areas would be hit with new rules banning people from different households meeting in homes or private gardens.

However, people are allowed to meet up outside which includes pub beer gardens and outdoor seating at restaurants. 

But many criticised the details of the restrictions for causing confusion among those affected.

On Friday, a statement released by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in partnership with council leaders said the timing and content of the announcement ‘has caused confusion and distress for our residents’.

It is ‘strongly recommended’ that in future ‘full supporting details should be available to the public at the moment any public or media statement is made’, the GMCA said.

The new restrictions apply to Greater Manchester, including the City of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale and Salford.

They also apply to Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale in Lancashire, and Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees in West Yorkshire.

In Leeds, people headed out to enjoy the weather and a few pints as the UK sweltered on the third hottest day ever

In Leeds, people headed out to enjoy the weather and a few pints as the UK sweltered on the third hottest day ever

Revellers in Leeds make the most of the mini heatwave despite a sharp increase in cases in nearby Kirklees, West Yorkshire

Revellers in Leeds make the most of the mini heatwave despite a sharp increase in cases in nearby Kirklees, West Yorkshire

Groups of people were spotted enjoying the heatwave and the city's nightlife in Leeds despite a rise in COVID cases nearby

Groups of people were spotted enjoying the heatwave and the city’s nightlife in Leeds despite a rise in COVID cases nearby

The UK saw one of the hottest days on record with highs of 37 degrees meaning people were keen to get out and enjoy the sun

The UK saw one of the hottest days on record with highs of 37 degrees meaning people were keen to get out and enjoy the sun

Elsewhere, one pub in west London was flouting the social distancing guidelines with large crowds of people gathering outside in the beer garden yesterday afternoon. 

The huge group at The Westbourne pub, in Notting Hill, was spilling out into the street from the designated beer garden which has been created with red ropes and cones. 

People stood chatting and drinking in the scorching sunshine seemingly unfazed by the breach of government-ordered social distancing rules. 

The popular pub is often frequented by famous faces such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, Frank Lampard and Kelly Brook. 

Huge groups of people gathered outside The Westbourne in Notting Hill, London, as the temperatures reached high as 97F

Huge groups of people gathered outside The Westbourne in Notting Hill, London, as the temperatures reached high as 97F

People appeared to ignore the current social distancing restrictions as they stood drinking in close proximity to each other

People appeared to ignore the current social distancing restrictions as they stood drinking in close proximity to each other

The huge group at The Westbourne pub, in Notting Hill, was spilling out into the street from the designated beer garden

The huge group at The Westbourne pub, in Notting Hill, was spilling out into the street from the designated beer garden

Police talk to pub-goers in Portobello Road in London today where people were seen not social distancing as the temperatures reached as high as 97F

Police talk to pub-goers in Portobello Road in London today where people were seen not social distancing as the temperatures reached as high as 97F

Police talk to pub-goers in Portobello Road in London yesterday where people were seen not social distancing as the temperatures reached as high as 97F

Groups gathered outside the pub in Portobello Road, London. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said around 4.5million people in the north of England will be banned from meeting others from different households in their homes and garden

Groups gathered outside the pub in Portobello Road, London. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said around 4.5million people in the north of England will be banned from meeting others from different households in their homes and garden

The pub beer garden is cordoned off but the visitors are stood further out into the street as it gets busier

The pub beer garden is cordoned off but the visitors are stood further out into the street as it gets busier 

A designated area, separated by red rope and cones, was set up as the large crowd spilled into the street

A designated area, separated by red rope and cones, was set up as the large crowd spilled into the street

People stood chatting and drinking in the scorching sunshine seemingly unfazed by the breach of government-ordered social distancing rules

People stood chatting and drinking in the scorching sunshine seemingly unfazed by the breach of government-ordered social distancing rules

Wandsworth Common where people last night were not social distancing

Wandsworth Common where people last night were not social distancing

The popular pub is often frequented by famous faces such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, Frank Lampard and Kelly Brook

The popular pub is often frequented by famous faces such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, Frank Lampard and Kelly Brook

The popular pub is known to host several well known faces such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Frank Lampard

The popular pub is known to host several well known faces such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Frank Lampard

Elsewhere sunseekers flocked to coastal hotspots across the country again yesterday as the temperatures reached as high as 97F. 

Have you seen pubgoers ignoring social distancing?

Email lydia.catling@mailonline.co.uk 

Social distancing guidelines were also ignored at several popular beaches where people crammed onto the sand in close proximity of each other.  

In a bid to reduce increasing traffic jams on warmer days, Brighton and Bournemouth councils urged sunseekers to stay away amid a surge to beaches across Britain today to enjoy a day out.  

According to the most recent figures from Public Health England (PHE) the rate of infection is increasing across 13 of the 19 local authorities in the areas where the new measures are being imposed.

For example, in Blackburn with Darwen, the rate has risen from 83.3 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to July 20 to 89.3 in the seven days to July 27. A total of 133 new cases have been recorded.

Have you seen pubgoers ignoring social distancing? Email lydia.catling@mailonline.co.uk 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk