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A senior health official has urged people not to flock to Blackpool “just because you can” after large crowds flocked to the spa over the weekend.
Hikers said they had “never seen Blackpool so busy” on Saturday when people arrived in the city hours after it was excluded from the new coronavirus restrictions, which apply to most of North West England.
Images on social media showed crowds along the boardwalk and visitors reported queues for attractions, jammed traffic, little physical distancing, and few people wearing masks inside.
Gem Concannon, 36, of Northwich in Cheshire, said the city was “hectic,” adding: “Hardly anyone wore masks or social distancing. It was shocking. I’ve never seen him so busy before.”
The restrictions, which go into effect on Tuesday, mean that Blackpool will be the only area in much of North West England that will not be covered by stricter measures, despite having a higher infection rate than neighboring areas.
The complex was not included in the Lancashire restrictions because it has its own local authority limits and was not considered to be at higher risk than other parts of the county. However, the decision has caused widespread confusion and concern as the city’s infection rate has doubled in the last fortnight.
Lancashire going to close with the exception of Blackpool ??? This was Blackpool last night! no social distancing anywhere, no masks in any entertainment or store … just kidding! I took these photos myself, so before anyone says clever angles etc, it isn’t! @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/CFMmO86BSg
– Stacey Shulm Rasheed (@staceywacywoo) September 20, 2020
Lancashire County Council Public Health Director Dr Sakthi Karunanithi said on Sunday “don’t go en masse to Blackpool just because you can.”
“My message to Lancashire residents is that we must take care of each other, our family and our friends. Rates are increasing everywhere in Lancashire. Just because Blackpool is not an intervention area yet, or where these new rules apply, this guide that has been published applies to all of Lancashire, no matter who you are or where you live, so you take it with you wherever you go. “.
The latest data from NHS Digital, released on Sunday, shows that Blackpool’s infection rate has risen to 57.5 cases per 100,000, which is double the rate two weeks earlier and almost double the England average. . 80 new cases were registered in the week until September 17.
Local leaders are understood to have expressed concern that 1,000 spectators will be allowed into Blackpool Town’s Bloomfield Road Stadium for the club’s League One game on Saturday as part of an English Football League (EFL) pilot. ).
The game was chosen as one of 10 EFL matches in England where 1,000 fans would be allowed to return to the ground. In Hull, another area chosen for the pilot, the test was withdrawn at the last minute after the city’s public health team refused to grant approval due to safety concerns.
A large number of tourists flocked to Blackpool to visit the illuminations of the city, which have lasted until December. However, many visitors reported that the city was “terrified” and “packed to the rafters”, and that the promenade had become a “breeding ground for covid.”
One said: ‘A lot of people predicted it and so it happened, it seemed like everyone came to Blackpool last night. The only time I’ve seen it more crowded is when the Red Arrows were on. Not much in terms of social distancing or masks. ” Another said: “Blackpool will be locally blocked in 2 weeks.”
Lynn Williams, the leader of the Blackpool council, said the city was busy on the weekend, but that “people will always flock to the seaside resorts when the weather is nice.” He added: “Blackpool welcomes visitors, but it is essential that people follow the ‘hands, face, space’ requirements.”
Williams said other spas were just as busy, including nearby St Anne’s. There have been reports of about 500 people queuing at the resort to buy fish and chips, she said. “We have implemented measures to ensure that we are as safe as possible. We are still in crisis response mode and will monitor it. “
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “I understand Blackpool was very busy yesterday and is likely to be again today. And while it is not up to the police to ask people not to go there, we are still in the middle of a pandemic and people must adhere to regulations and follow social distancing to help us all return to some form of normalcy.
“Any company that operates must make sure to do so in a Covid safe manner. We will continue, as we have done at all times, participating and explaining, but we will enforce where necessary ”.
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