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Let’s do it for Pendle - new measures to reduce spread of coronavirus
Published: Friday, 17th July 2020
A public appeal has been launched today, Friday 17 July, to reduce the spread of coronavirus in Pendle.
The campaign flags up new stricter measures for Pendle people, following an increase to 11.7% in people testing positive for the virus on Thursday 16 July.
Called Let’s do it for Pendle, local people are being urged to follow new rules put in place by a Pendle Task Force which includes the NHS, Lancashire County Council, Pendle Council and community organisations.
Councillor Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council said:
“The Government has approved our Pendle Local Prevention Plan and the approaches we’re taking.
“Our new five point plan means we should all take extra precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Pendle, protect our community and avoid a second spike.
“We are working with the Government to get more testing units in different parts of Pendle soon and we are urging more people to get tested.”
Deputy Leader, Councillor David Whipp said:
“It’s vital that everyone in Pendle plays a part to reduce the number of cases.
“And we are now urging people to get tested who’ve not got symptoms but have been in close contact with someone who has recently tested positive for coronavirus.
“By taking action quickly we hope to avoid more severe restrictions in the coming weeks,” he said.
The five point plan for Pendle is:
- Get tested if you have symptoms or if someone you live with or have been in close contact with recently has tested positive
- Avoid family and group gatherings indoors and overnight stays
- Wherever possible, do shopping online, pre-book appointments and make contact-less payments to avoid overcrowding
- Wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces from now – including shops and supermarkets
- Shops and businesses must display the maximum number of people allowed inside and stick to that number to maintain social distancing and keep customers and staff safe.
Pendle people can check safety advice on Pendle Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus including the link to get tested.
Free tests for anyone with symptoms or who’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus are being carried out up to and including Sunday 19 July.
Tests are taking place at a mobile testing unit at the former fairground site on Carr Road, on the border of Nelson and Barrowford.
The unit is open daily from 10.30am – 3.30pm and people who’ve booked an appointment can come on foot or by car.
Testing at the unit is open to people of any age who have symptoms and is open to those who’ve recently been close to someone who has tested positive.
People need to book a test rather than just turn up and appointments go live around 8.30pm the night before on the Government's coronavirus testing webpage www.gov.uk/coronavirus
They can also be booked in the morning for a test on the same day.
Anyone with symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days from the point their symptoms started.
“If you live with someone with symptoms, you must self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started, as it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear,” explained Councillor Iqbal.
"And if you have symptoms, it's very important to stay at home, get yourself tested and follow the advice from the NHS Test and Trace service,” he said.
People can contact NHS 111 on-line for healthcare advice.
County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said:
"Please continue to follow the guidance and do what you can to keep your family and friends safe and well. The risk is still with us and we all need to be alert to it.
"There are lots of things that people can do to help themselves, including wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces, and getting tested if you have symptoms.
"By working together we can get through this more quickly."
Commenting on the additional guidance for Pendle, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire County Council said:
“We’ve seen a spike in cases in the Pendle area and we must do all we can to prevent us having to consider a lockdown situation.
“That’s why I am appealing to all residents in Pendle, and in particular those who live in Nelson and Brierfield, to do these additional things from today.
“We must stop the spread of the virus and by taking these simple measures we can keep people safe.
“I will review these steps on 27th July and will continue to monitor the number of positive tests over the next couple of weeks.
“If we don’t see an improvement and a reduction in positive tests, then we may have to consider further measures. We need everyone to work together to prevent this, so let’s do it for Pendle.”
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