Burnley could face tighter local lockdown as town tops national Covid-19 table

Burnley has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the country

The borough became the first area in the country to pass the 300 infections per 100,000 population this week - a statistic that has prompted warnings of tighter restrictions on residents and businesses.

One possibility being discussed is a short-term lockdown, possibly lasting two weeks, which would see a total ban on family and friends interacting along with the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants for a two-week period.

The borough recorded 279 new cases in the seven days to September 26th, which equates to 313 cases per 100,000. The previous seven days figure stood at 164.

A number of bars and clubs including Burnley Miners’ Club have been forced to temporarily close their doors for deep cleaning after customers reported a positive test result.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham said: “I know the latest numbers will be concerning to many and I’m speaking with the Health Secretary and local authorities to understand what has driven the increase, not just in Burnley but across Lancashire.

"My focus is ensuring that we take a measured approach , supporting people and businesses in the borough, and keeping interventions as targeted as possible to wherever the virus is spreading.

"It’s a clear sign that we need to remain vigilant; remembering hands, face, space; and I’d encourage everyone to download the NHS Covid-19 App which is such an important tool in helping the NHS with test and trace.”