Pendle Council leader warns borough could face full lockdown if new rules are not followed

In Pendle, 196 new cases were recorded in the seven days to September 26th – the equivalent of 212.8 per 100,000 people, up from 152 in the seven days to September 19th

Coun. Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “In a bid to reduce the growing spread of the virus, the Government brought in new regulations on September 22nd.

“Pendle and the rest of Lancashire could be just weeks away from a full lockdown if people don’t take notice now,” he said.

“By following the rules we can reduce the spread.

“People must wear face coverings in more places now. This is in addition to wearing a face covering in enclosed public spaces such as shops, supermarkets and on buses and trains."

The new places where people must wear a face covering are:

- In a pub, café or restaurant when you are not sitting at your table (this includes going to and from the toilets)

- When you’re a passenger in a taxi or another private hire vehicle

- When working in either the retail or hospitality sector.

The police can take measures if people do not comply with this law.

The Government also announced changes at pubs, bars and restaurants to reduce the spread.

The new rules which came into force on September 24th mean that pubs, bars, and restaurants and other hospitality venues must:

- Have table-service only unless they are offering takeaways

- Close at 10pm

- Takeaways must close at 10pm to customers calling in.

- Take away deliveries can continue if orders are made online, by phone or by text message.

- Food or drink can be delivered to a customer waiting outside in their vehicle.

Michael Duck, from Pendle Council’s Environmental Health team, is working with local businesses to ensure they are Covid-Secure.

And that includes following the new rules.

“Pubs, restaurants and bars must close their doors at 10pm," he said. "10pm means 10pm – not last orders!”

Coun. Iqbal added: “Our Environmental Health Officers and Licensing Team are working in partnership with the police to check that businesses and customers are sticking to the new regulations.

“These changes are now law with stiff fines of up to £10,000 for repeated breaches.

“These tougher rules are there to protect our friends, our families, our community.

“I’d like to thank businesses for their efforts to stay within the new laws."

Deputy leader Coun. David Whipp said: “We know these are tough times. We thank everyone for doing their bit.

“Please don’t forget, you must not mix at all with anyone outside of your household or social bubble,” he said.

“We all need work to bring down the spread of Covid-19.

“Let’s do it for all the vulnerable people in our communities,” he said.

The three Directors of Public Health for Lancashire have joined forces to send a clear message to communities in the county.

Sakthi Karunanithi, for Lancashire County Council, Arif Rajpura, for Blackpool and Dominic Harrison, for Blackburn with Darwen are unified in their message when they say to residents:

“You must act now to avoid a local lockdown. We are asking you to follow the rules now, so you can enjoy doing the things you love again much sooner.

“We’re all in this together!”