Burnley Mayor demands clear way forward as he blasts Tier 3 decision

Mayor of Burnley Coun. Wajid Khan believes putting Burnley and Lancashire into Tier 3 is like "papering over the cracks".
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And he has called on the government for more clarity and a proper discussion with local authority leaders.

He said: "There is no end game in sight and no clear way forward which is very frustrating for people.

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"There is no hope and this is affecting people's mental health.

Burnley Mayor Coun. Wajid Khan. Photo: Andy FordBurnley Mayor Coun. Wajid Khan. Photo: Andy Ford
Burnley Mayor Coun. Wajid Khan. Photo: Andy Ford

"Why can't the government say that once we get to a certain number of cases the restrictions can then be eased? We would have something to work towards then.

"The uncertainty surrounding the situation at the moment is farcical and there is so much confusion this is aggravating people and morale in the borough is very low."

As Burnley enters Tier 3 from midnight tonight the Mayor called on the government for financial support for the supply chain to the pubs and bars that will be forced to close.

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He said: "There are real fears about the loss of businesses and jobs for so many people, they desperately need support."

The Mayor said he strongly believed that a circuit breaker, a short set period of time, such as two to three weeks, where tighter restrictions are brought in to break the trajectory of coronavirus cases rising, was the only answer .

Coun. Khan added: "Businesses and the loss of revenue is terrible but the loss of life is more important."

Describing the track and trace system as a 'shambles' the Mayor called for the facility to be handed over to public health teams to run.