Warning of further restrictions in Pendle if coronavirus infections continue to rise

The warning came from Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson who had received a letter from his Tory colleague Edward Argar, Minister of State for Healrh, regarding the continuation, decided yesterday, of the local lockdown for parts of East Lancashire, including Burnley and Pendle.

It the news of possible further restrictions, though, that will alarm residents of Pendle.

Mr Stephenson called on Pendle Council to further play its part in helping to slow down the spread of the virus locally.

He said: "After lots of discussion with Health Ministers and officials over the last 48 hours the Government has announced that the current rules on social gatherings will continue in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

"It also unfortunately means that those businesses and services that can resume from August 15th in the rest of the country, cannot yet resume here.

"The rise in cases in Pendle continues to be a concern and therefore the Government has identified Pendle, alongside Blackburn and Oldham, as areas where additional efforts will be required.

"In areas like Blackburn the local council has focused its efforts on local initiatives like testing all taxi drivers and are having screens installed in taxis, in addition to councillors going door to door in the worst affected wards encouraging people to get tested.

"I hope Pendle Council will step up its efforts to do similar here, as nobody wants the current restrictions to continue, and we all need to play our part to tackle its spread.

"The restrictions are reviewed weekly so will next be reviewed on Thursday next week.

"I will continue to be in regular dialogue with Health Ministers, Department of Health officials and others about the restrictions and local action to address this situation."