Restrictions will remain in place on gatherings in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester as the government continues to work with local leaders in Blackburn with Darwen, Oldham and Pendle to address high or rising cases of Covid-19, the Department of Health and Social Care announced.
The second lockdown measures were announced two weeks ago to urgently tackle an increase in Covid-19 cases in these areas. Casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, exhibition halls, conference centres and indoor play areas will not be permitted to open in these areas and shielding will also continue for individuals in Blackburn with Darwen, and Leicester City.
The latest evidence does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and the Health Secretary, in collaboration with local leaders, has agreed that the rules must remain in place at present. This will help protect local residents, and allow more time for the changes to have an effect, cutting transmission among households. The latest data also shows a continued rise in cases in Oldham and Pendle while numbers remain high in Blackburn with Darwen.
Minister for Health Edward Argar said, “We will review the measures again next week as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the latest data.
“It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to continue to follow the rules - wash your hands regularly, follow social distancing, get yourself a free test as soon as you get any symptoms, and isolate if NHS Test and Trace tells you to.”
As part of ensuring a proportionate yet robust response to the virus, where possible the government will remove individual areas from these measures while maintaining or even strengthening measures in others as necessary – just as has been done in other areas where local measures have been brought in, such as Leicestershire.
The latest data for Leicester shows that infection rates have declined owing to the efforts of the local area, so a further review is being carried out and an update will be given shortly. In the meantime, the current restrictions will remain in place.
