See the New Year in safely

In the run-up to the New Year, many people across Lancashire plan to celebrate with friends and family. We’re asking all residents to follow government guidance and limit social contact where possible.

Doing this will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect you, your loved ones and the NHS.

Laura Wharton, Blackburn with Darwen Consultant for Public Health said:

Many of us want to go out and enjoy ourselves, it remains really important to remember to keep yourself and others safe. This is why we are asking people to prioritise meetings that are most important to them, and to limit other social contacts where possible.

It’s also really important to take a lateral flow test regularly, including just before you go out or plan to meet people.

Lateral Flow Tests can be accessed from:

• The Mall (opposite M&S) Blackburn: 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.
• The Works, Railway Road Darwen: 8am-4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Lateral flow kits are also available to order online at: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests and via local pharmacies.

Find out more about testing in Blackburn with Darwen here:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/coronavirus/test-trace-self-isolate

Laura added:

Even if you have a negative test, please continue to take measures every day to reduce the spread of the virus.  Keep washing and sanitising hands; wear face coverings when out shopping, in places of worship and on public transport; work from home where possible, and let fresh air into indoor spaces. Socialising outside is safer than being indoors.

If you haven’t yet had your vaccination or booster, now is the time to book.

If you have a temperature, cough, loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, or other viral symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat and a headache, no matter how mild, you need to isolate and get a PCR test as quickly as possible.