Announced yesterday evening (30 July) by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, areas within East Lancashire and Greater Manchester, including Hyndburn, will be subject to stricter measures to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus in our communities.
The restrictions, which have been imposed to help protect the wider community, were effective from 00:01 today (Friday 31 July) and include a ban on residents meeting with other people inside and in private gardens.
Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:
“We understand the new rules in place will be disruptive for many people and we would like to reassure residents that Hyndburn Borough Council are working hard and in unity with many organisations to reduce the transmission of covid-19 within our community as quickly as possible.
“The new rules announced by Central Government are in place to keep people safe. The sooner we can reduce the number of coronavirus cases, the sooner restrictions will be eased. Please work with us, follow all measures in place and do the right thing. Thank you for the continued support and for making sacrifices to protect our vulnerable residents and NHS.”
There will be new laws to enforce the restrictions about people meeting in private homes and gardens. Police can enforce through asking people to disperse and issuing fines.
Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “For the police, this is just another change in the regulations and our approach will be the same as it has been since March.
“We want to reassure everyone we’ll carry on taking a common sense and proportionate approach to enforcement – we’ll continue to engage with people, explain the rules, encourage everyone affected to follow them and only enforce them as a last resort.
“As with all the regulations so far, the public will need to support each other and do the right thing. People in Lancashire have, on the whole, been superb so far in sticking to the restrictions and the guidelines. We know it’s tough but everyone in the affected areas needs to keep it up.”
The full details of the new restrictions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
The new restrictions don’t affect the continual reopening of businesses – except for in Blackburn with Darwen which had already implemented delayed opening for venues such as leisure centres following a big increase in cases.
Affected local areas
Greater Manchester: City of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford
Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, West Yorkshire, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees
SOCIAL CONTACT
If you live in one of the affected areas, in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you should not:
- meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in law).
- visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas.
- socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with others. If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance.
The government will pass new laws to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens. The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing fixed penalty notices (starting at £100 – halving to £50 if paid in the first 14 days – and doubling for subsequent offences).
Business closures
In Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford, the following premises must remain closed by law:
- indoor gyms
- indoor fitness and dance studios
- indoor sports courts and facilities
- indoor swimming pools, including indoor facilities at water parks
CHANGES IN RESTRICTIONS
For the latest changes in restrictions, please visit the government’s website – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rules-on-gatherings-in-some-parts-of-northern-england