Blackburn with Darwen is being placed into the ‘very high’ alert level of the Government’s new three-tier system of interventions to tackle the spread of Covid-19 from midnight tonight!
It means the borough and wider Lancashire region will, from midnight tonight (Friday into Saturday), be under the strictest set of restrictions due to the high rate of infection in the area for at least four weeks.
The Council had been locked in talks with the government for days. While the Council accepted more measures were needed to curb the spread of the virus, it hoped government would agree to further requests for support, powers and tools local leaders thought were necessary.
As part of those talks it has been agreed that gyms and leisure centres will remain open and there will be extra support for businesses affected or forced to close.
The new restrictions include:
- People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, except with those who have formed a support bubble , in any indoor setting or in any private garden or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
- People must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in an outdoor public space such as a park or beach, the countryside, a public garden or a sports venue
- All pubs and bars must close, unless they are serving substantial meals
- People should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities or to travel through as part of a longer journey
- Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK, and others should avoid staying overnight in the Very High Alert area
In addition, following discussions with local leaders it was agreed that from Monday 19th October at 00.01:
- The adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close.
- Car boot sales would not be permitted
