The government have announced that gyms, fitness and dance studios, indoor swimming pools and sports clubs in Blackburn will be able to reopen from Tuesday 8th September.
The following will also be able to open at the same time:
Indoor play areas (including soft play areas), casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, exhibition halls, and conference centres and beauty salons will be able to undertake facial treatments.
These business restrictions which were not eased on 25th July; will now be eased across the whole borough from Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
For residents who have been shielding; the restrictions are to be eased in the wards with national restrictions (to the South and West of Blackburn, Darwen and rural) from Monday 21st September. This is to give those who are shielding time to adjust and prepare.
Residents shielding in the restricted area (to the North East of Blackburn) are to continue shielding with a further review on 23rd September.
There is to be no change to the restricted areas regarding social interaction and travel guidance.
The eight wards are those with the highest rates of infection.
They include:
- Audley and Queens Park
- Blackburn Central
- Roe Lee
- Billinge and Beardwood
- Bastwell and Daisyfield
- Shear Brow and Corporation Park
- Little Harwood and Whitebirk
- Wensley Fold
The Government restrictions mean anyone living in these areas are still not allowed to meet with family and friends from outside their household.
The Council is continuing to ask government to ease the remaining business restrictions such as close contact beauty services which are still not able to re-open in the restricted area.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:
Tonight’s announcement is a testament to the hard work of residents, local communities and the local authorities who have all worked to bring down the rates of infection.
It’s really important that our businesses can safely re-open and we are continuing to advise and enforce safety measures where we need to, making use of all the powers available to us. We are a Covid-safe place.
To maintain this positive progress, it remains really important that we all continue to wear face coverings where necessary, practise good hygiene and adhere to national social distancing rules.
