Published Friday 26 March 2021 at 16:18
The ‘rule of six’ is set to return in public outdoor spaces on 29 March – but council bosses are warning that this does not mean the end of the restrictions.
From next week, outdoor sport and leisure facilities, such as golf courses and tennis courts, will be allowed to reopen, and organised outdoor sport can resume for children and adults.
In addition, the “stay at home” restriction will be dropped and replaced with a “minimise travel” message.
This will complete the first of the four step roadmap to recovery unveiled by the Government in February. Step two is due to start on 12 April.
Professor Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen, said:
Here in Blackburn with Darwen transmission rates remain high. We are asking people to work with us to lower these numbers and keep them down to prevent any further local restrictions.
Although the ‘Stay Home’ rule ends on 29 March, people should now minimise travel as much as possible – and this includes for sport and social contact.
Restrictions are starting to ease, and now it is up to each and every one of us to keep this virus under control. We will only achieve this by minimising contact wherever possible, wearing a face covering, keeping our distance, and washing our hands regularly.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the lifting of some the restrictions was welcomed – but urged people to remain vigilant.
We have done well to lower transmission rates over recent months and we want to continue to see things moving in the right direction.
Whilst everyone is looking forward to restrictions lifting, we need to remember that this is a critical stage of the roadmap to recovery. We all need to avoid any unnecessary risks to ensure these restrictions can continue to be lifted as we move from the roadmap.