Pendle News Room

This means that people in Pendle should stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to go out.

You can only leave home for work, where you cannot work from home, including voluntary or charity work and you can leave home for education purposes and for exercise outdoors.

And from 31 December people in Pendle will only be able to meet with one other person they don’t live with, apart from people in a support bubble.

More details on Tier 4 restrictions are on Pendle Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal MBE, Leader of Pendle Council explained:

“We were notified today at the same time as everyone else, so we weren’t consulted about moving up into Tier 4.

“But Pendle, along with other areas in the UK, has a rising rate of Covid-19 infections.

“In the past seven days Pendle has 361 new cases and an infection rate of 391.9 per 100.000 people.

"We know it’s hard, but with the new strain of Covid-19 also spreading more quickly, we have to remain on our guard.

“That’s why it’s vital that everyone follows these new restrictions – around one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have symptoms,” he stated.

Tests are available in Pendle seven days a week at three different places – in Nelson, Barnoldswick and Colne.  Visit www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus to book a test via the Government’s website.

“This is tough news to get at New Year,” stated Councillor Iqbal.

“But we also have the good news that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has now been approved for use in the UK with the first injections to be given on Monday 4 January.

“It’s vital that we take extra care now to protect ourselves, our community and the NHS which is already under great pressure.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, so we must keep going.

“As the vaccines roll out we can look forward to less restrictions in the not too distant future, in 2021."

Councillor David Whipp, Deputy Leader, said: “Until there is wider immunity thanks to the roll out vaccinations we must keep a safe distance from those we don’t live with.

“Keep wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, let fresh air in and keep up with regular hand-washing.

“It’s hard, but we need to stay safe and healthy. 

“We want to say a big thank you to Pendle people and local businesses for your resilience.

“Please continue to be very careful and follow the new Tier 4 restrictions.

“Let’s keep it up for our friends, families and neighbours and our local community.  Let’s do it for Pendle."