Manchester Airport’s new drive-through coronavirus testing centre is not enough on its own, local leaders have warned - but they say government is stopping them from opening more.
The region’s council chiefs want to see more centres opened in various other boroughs so that NHS and social care staff are easily able to access them.
But Andy Burnham said despite there being available capacity in a number of hospitals, the area does not have the power to open them without national sign-off.
He also said an offer he made to the government last week - to use Greater Manchester’s expertise and facilities as part of the national testing effort - has not yet received a response.