Coronavirus update: 24.3.20

You will have seen the Government has now announced extra measures to try and curb the spread of coronavirus.

These include only allowing people to leave their homes for the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities
• One form of exercise a day
• Medical need
• To care for a vulnerable person
• Travelling to work only when absolutely necessary.

The full guidance for staying at home and away from others is available on the Government’s website.

This means that in Blackburn with Darwen all non-essential shops and community spaces are closed – this includes play areas. Parks remain open for exercise but please do not gather in groups there.

Both of the borough’s household waste recycling centres are closed from today as well.

Blackburn Central Library and Darwen Library are also now closed to the public until further notice. All online library facilities are still accessible and a home delivery service is available. For more information please phone: (01254) 661221 or e-mail: library@blackburn.gov.uk

An extensive list of the business the Government is saying must close as well as exceptions is also available.

We understand how difficult this is for everyone – these are drastic measures quite unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetimes. They mean the removal of liberties we usually take for granted but this is an extraordinary situation.

Because of this we have to continue to ask all of our residents in the strongest possible terms to please follow the Government’s instructions.

This is key to fighting this virus, slowing down infections and easing the pressure on our NHS.

It is of course vital to keep active at this time – and that includes going outside once a day for exercise or for any of the other exempt reasons – but please follow social distancing guidance whilst you do.

If you don’t you will be endangering yourself, people you know and love and other people you will have never met. The situation is that stark. We have to do this together.

We are continuing to work with partners right across the borough, county as well as nationally in response to the coronavirus crisis.

One of our key priorities is keeping you, our residents, informed with the latest advice and information and we will continue to do so.

We would again like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff, as well as those from partner organisations and, of course, the NHS for their support on the response to this crisis. Your professionalism and calm dedication is what Blackburn with Darwen is all about.

The latest advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the Public Health England (PHE) and NHS websites.

For all Council updates visit our website.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of the Council

Denise Park, Chief Executive of the Council

Professor Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health