ADDITIONAL MEASURES IN HYNDBURN

Statement from Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council:

“We have experienced an incredibly difficult year so far and witnessed our community pull together to support each other like never before. I am urging people to continue to do this, the virus has not gone, and our priority is preventing loss of life. Please follow all measures in place, to protect our vulnerable residents.

Look after each other, keep in touch as much as you can with people and please let everyone know our Hyndburn Hub is available if anyone needs urgent support. There is help if you need it and no one needs to suffer alone.”

A series of new national restrictions introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have been implemented in a bid to address the significant rise in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

These new measures are on top of the local restrictions already in place in Hyndburn/Lancashire and they aim to help stop the spread of the virus by focussing on minimising social mixing.

Whilst the measures are a mixture of legal regulations and guidance, our strong advice to everyone is to follow the rules set out below, especially if we want to protect our most vulnerable, keep our children in schools and keep our businesses open.

The simple fact is that by reducing our social activity, whether through legal restriction or choice, we will limit the spread of the virus and help us move towards the lifting of restrictions.

Coronavirus restrictions in place for Lancashire

Taking into account all the regulations and guidance, our advice to the people and businesses of Lancashire is as follows:

Do not socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble, either in your house, garden or anywhere else.

Hospitality venues for food and drink must operate table service only.

Leisure and entertainment venues, including restaurants, pubs and cinemas, must close between 10pm and 5am.

Only use public transport for essential journeys – such as travelling to school or work, or medical appointments.

A face covering must be worn on public transport and in taxis, shops and hospitality venues when not seated, unless you are exempt.

Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as a spectator.

Only visit indoor locations such as restaurants and pubs with other members of your household or support bubble, in a group of no more than 6.

People should work from home where possible.

From Monday 28 September, only 15 people can attend a wedding service and reception – 30 people can still attend a funeral.

A maximum of six people can take part in indoor team sports.

Large sports events and conferences, planned from 1 October will not now take place.

Rules on face coverings

Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings.

Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings, except when seated at a table to eat or drink. Staff in hospitality and retail will now also be required to wear face coverings.

People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.

Guidance stating that face coverings and visors should be worn in close contact services will now become law.

Staff working on public transport and taxi drivers will continue to be advised to wear face coverings.

Rules around childcare

Care bubbles are now allowed to be formed in Lancashire, to allow families to share caring responsibilities with another household.

Informal carers will be able to provide care for children and vulnerable adults in parts of the country with restrictions on interhousehold mixing.

Children under 14 will be able to be cared for by individuals outside of their immediate household as part of a care bubble. Arrangements must be part of a consistent childcare relationship.

The fine for people not wearing face coverings in shops, supermarkets, public transport, taxis and in indoor hospitality will double to £200 for a first time offence, from £100.

This fine will be the same for those who break the “rule of six”.

People with coronavirus symptoms who do not self- isolate will face fines of £1,000, rising to £10,000 for repeat offences from 28 September.

If people prevent others from self-isolating – such as bosses threatening redundancy – they can also be fined.

Remember… Hands, face, space

It is critical that everybody continues to observe the following key behaviours:

Hands – Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.

Face – Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Space – Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.

Where can I find more information?

For more information about the restrictions in Lancashire visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/coronavirus- updates/coronavirus-restrictions-in-lancashire/

For more information about local restrictions across the North West visit www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west- england-local-restrictions

For more information about the national restrictions in England visit www.gov.uk/government/news/ coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22- september