Blackburn with Darwen has introduced additional closing measures that include a limit on the number of people who can visit a home after an increase in Covid-19 cases.
Lancashire Authority Public Health Director Dominic Harrison announced the new measures on Tuesday, to be followed over the next month with the aim of avoiding a local blockade.
Restrictions include a limit of two people from the same household who can visit another household.
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Blackburn had 47 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days through July 11, compared to 31.6 cases per 100,000 in the seven days through July 4, according to figures released Tuesday.
The authority is third on the list of the highest weekly rates, behind Leicester, which has a rate of 118.2 cases per 100,000 and is subject to a local shutdown, and nearby Pendle, with a rate of 76.6.
If rates continue to rise in the coming weeks, the council would consider re-imposing some closure restrictions, Harrison said.
Residents are told to use cloth covers in all enclosed public spaces, including workplaces, libraries, museums, health centers, and beauty and hair salons.
Harrison also asked that people only hit their elbows with anyone outside of their immediate family, rather than shaking hands or hugging, and said public protection councils for small stores are being stepped up to ensure measures are followed. such as social distancing and greater ventilation.
Specific tests are underway in the district, with a mobile testing unit at Witton Park Academy, as well as a facility at Royal Blackburn Hospital, and residents have been told they don’t need to have symptoms to get tested.
“These steps will help and we are asking everyone in Blackburn with Darwen to follow them to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Harrison.
“If we don’t, a local block, like in Leicester, becomes a very real possibility.
“The council is working with the NHS and the community at large on this, it is up to all of us to help each other follow through on the advice we have been given.
“We can only avoid further blocking measures if we work together.
“In the next 10-day week, we will see an increase in the number of cases in the municipality due to the increase in the specific tests that we are doing in the communities with the highest risk, and because we have opened a Pilar 2 test site next door from the hospital last week.
“In another two weeks, if rates continue to rise, we will have to consider reversing some of the national measures to lift the blockade locally one by one until we see a reversal in the current upward trend.
“It is up to everyone to make sure we don’t have to do that.”
Additional PA Media reports
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