Manchester, Oct 21 (TIWN) The UK government has given the Mayor of Manchester until Tuesday midday to reach a deal over moving to tier-three or the strictest Covid-19 restrictions, according to media reports.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson informed Mayor Andy Burnham of the deadline after 10 days of negotiations that failed to reach and agreement, reports the Metro newspaper.  Burnham and other Manchester leaders have been holding out for further financial support for businesses and workers that would be affected by entering the highest restrictions.  Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick added that the situation in the Greater Manchester region is deteriorating and the government had no choice to act.  "There are now more Covid-19 patients in Greater Manchester hospitals than in the whole of the South West and South East combined," the Metro newspaper quoted Jenrick as saying.