Valley council leader's plea to help slow the spread of the coronavirus

Ribble Valley Borough Council facilities have closed to the public following the Government’s announcement of a second national lockdown.

The following council facilities closed yesterday, until December 2nd: Council Offices, Church Walk, Clitheroe; Platform Gallery, Station Road, Clitheroe; Ribblesdale Pool, Edisford Road, Clitheroe; Ribble Valley 3G pitches, Edisford Road, Clitheroe and Clitheroe Castle Museum

If you need to contact the council during lockdown, you can do so at ribblevalley.gov.uk, where you can access a wide range of information and services. Visits to the Council Offices in person will be by appointment only and the Job Centre, which is based at the offices, will undertake appointments by telephone.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader, Stephen Atkinson, said: “Local restrictions have helped to slow the spread of the virus, but the Government’s view is that, as the national R rate is still above 1, a short lockdown is the best way to slow transmission and protect ourselves, our families and the NHS.

“I would like to thank residents for adhering to restrictions and council officers for pulling out the stops to continue delivering services during unprecedented times.”

Until December 2nd, you must stay at home and only leave for the following reasons:

● Education

● Work, if you cannot work from home

● Exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household, support bubble or on your own with one person from another household

● Medical appointments and to escape injury or harm

● To shop for food and essentials

● To provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer

Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will be closed. Click and collect services can continue and essential shops, including supermarkets, will remain open, so there is no need to stockpile.

Shielding will not be reintroduced, but the clinically vulnerable, or those over the age of 60, should be especially careful to minimise contact with others. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not only minimise contact with others, but if they are unable to work from home should not go to work.

Schools, colleges and universities will remain open, and parents and carers should make sure their children keep attending.

Don’t forget the Ribble Valley Community Hub is still available if you need help, businesses advice and the latest pandemic information.

The hub is on hand Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 01200 414597, to help locked down households facing difficulties, worries or loneliness.

Further lockdown guidance is available at gov.uk or ribblevalley.gov.uk.