Caution urged with relaxation of Covid rules
LEADERS have backed Boris Johnson’s warning that people must be cautious as he lifted all remaining legal coronavirus restrictions from Monday.
The Prime Minister said he expected people to continue wearing face masks in indoor spaces, but did not expect everyone to be back at their desks at the start of next week.
He added: “It is absolutely vital that we proceed now with caution.”
Coun Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn council, said: “This is welcome for our local businesses who have struggled with the practicalities of restrictions.
“Although legal requirements for mask wearing and social distancing will not be in place, there is strong evidence these measures should still be followed when possible. We must act with caution.”
It comes as Hyndburn recorded the second highest Covid-19 rate in Lancashire this week, with a further 510 new cases.
More than 100 scientists and doctors have signed a letter accusing the Government of conducting a “dangerous and unethical experiment”, urging ministers to reconsider plans to scrap all coronavirus restrictions from July 19.
However, in her monthly Observer column, MP Sara Britcliffe said: “This is about restoring to the population of this country their ability to make decisions and manage risk without Government diktat.
“We need to move away from the idea that the Government should be looked to for decision making, and personal responsibility must be restored.”
And Professor Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s public health director, said: “I welcome the announcements to open up the social and economic life for the residents of Lancashire by relaxing the most burdensome lockdown control measures. I also welcome that vaccine passports and face mask wearing will continue to be encouraged by government.
“I think the ideal is that we should allow maximum social and economic freedoms whilst retaining key measures that don’t compromise freedoms but do protect communities from avoidable transmission of the virus. The pandemic is not over.
“However, if we all are very careful between now and September, we should be able to maximise both our freedoms and sensible infection control.”
The borough’s infection rate of 629.3 per 100,000 people represents a 5.8 per cent hike from the previous week, and second only to neighbouring Rossendale’s rate of 656.1 - up 3.5 per cent from the week before.
Data for the most recent days (July 10-14) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.
First and second dose Pfizer jabs are available at a walk-in clinic at the Acorn Centre in Accrington between Thursday, July 15 and Saturday, July 17. You can also book your second dose of AstraZeneca/Oxford or Pfizer via the national booking system.