New coronavirus measures introduced in Pendle to avoid local lockdown

Authorities in East Lancashire have implemented a special coronavirus prevention plan for Pendle in order to cease the spike in cases and prevent local lockdown.

Pendle residents are being urged to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with the introduction of a new prevention plan, following talks held by the council earlier today.

The four-point plan will include liaisons between the council, Pendle businesses and community leaders to prevent the continued rise in COVID-19 cases.

It comes as new figures show that Pendle has the second-highest infection rate in the country, behind Leicester.

Similar measures were introduced in the Lancashire town of Blackburn earlier this week.

• Blackburn facing 'rising tide' of coronavirus cases, public health director warns

• Coronavirus: New measures introduced in hard-hit Blackburn following spike in cases

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council, said: "We have set up a task force with Lancashire County Council, the NHS and other partners to engage with people in our community and get across vital messages to reduce the spread of the virus.

“We are following a plan which will reach people across our community and our Environmental Health team is continuing to visit local businesses to make sure they are COVID-19 Secure.

"If you live with someone with symptoms, you must self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started, as it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear."

Pendle Council's plan states that anyone exhibiting symptoms will be asked to take up testing for the virus and that more messages will be sent out to the community encouraging residents to follow national guidelines on safety.Other measures include:• Avoiding handshakes and embracing when meeting others.• Wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces• Avoiding or limiting a large extended family gathering inside.

Free tests for anyone with symptoms are being carried out this week at a mobile testing unit at the former fairground site on Carr Road, on the border of Nelson and Barrowford.

The unit is open daily from 10.30am – 3.30pm up to and including Sunday (July 19) and people who’ve booked an appointment can come on foot or by car.