Coronavirus: New measures introduced in hard-hit Blackburn following spike in cases
Extra coronavirus mitigating measures have been announced in hard-hit Blackburn with Darwen, as the region seeks to avoid being placed under a local local lockdown.
Several measures are being introduced to slow the spread of Covid-19, with people living in the Lancashire authority being asked to limit the number visitors to their home after a rise in coronavirus cases.
Figures published on Tuesday showed Blackburn had 47 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to July 11, up from 31.6 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to July 4.
The authority is third on the list of highest weekly rates, behind Leicester, which has a rate of 118.2 cases per 100,000 and is subject to a local lockdown, and nearby Pendle, with a rate of 76.6.
On Tuesday, the Lancashire authority’s director of public health Dominic Harrison announced the new measures to be followed for the next month with the aim of avoiding a local lockdown - as was imposed in Leicester.
The restrictions include a limit of two people from the same household allowed to visit another home and the wearing of cloth face coverings in all enclosed public spaces, including workplaces, libraries, museums, health centres and hair and beauty salons.
And rather than giving handshakes or a hug, Mr Harrison is urging people to "only bump elbows with anyone outside of their immediate family".
He added how public protection advice for small shops was being stepped up to ensure measures including social distancing and increased ventilation were being followed.
The authority is also introducing increased testing, with the arrival of a mobile testing unit at Witton Park Academy in addition to the testing facility at Royal Blackburn Hospital, and residents have been told they do not need to have symptoms to be tested.
Mr Harrison said, if rates were continuing to rise in a few weeks, the council would consider reimposing some lockdown restrictions.
ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand on the tougher measures being brought in in Blackburn and Darwen.
“These steps will help and we are appealing to everyone in Blackburn with Darwen to follow them to protect themselves and their loved ones," Mr Harrison said.
“If we don’t, a local lockdown, like in Leicester, becomes a very real possibility."
“We can only avoid further lockdown measures if we work together," he added.
“In the next week to 10 days, we will see a rise in the number of cases in the borough due to the increased targeted testing we are doing in communities most at risk, and because we have opened a Pillar 2 testing site next to the hospital last week.
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“In another two weeks, if the rates are continuing to rise, we will have to consider reversing some of the national lockdown lifting measures locally one by one until we see a reversal in the current rising trend."
Seventy new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the local authority in the seven days to July 11, up from 47 in the previous seven days.
Council leader Mohammed Khan said: “I can reassure all local residents that the council is working with different agencies and organisations across the borough to help get the message out to everyone that life cannot go back to normal just yet, and we must all make sacrifices to avoid a local lockdown.
“We are doing everything we can to get a grip on the virus, and we need everyone in Blackburn with Darwen to pull together to help us.
“Please continue to do your bit to stick to the rules to protect yourself and your family.”