Published Friday 2 July 2021 at 9:30
Our Chief Executive, Denise Park has written a column for the Lancashire Telegraph this week:
With Dominic currently away enjoying a well-deserved holiday, I am picking up the weekly column this week. And what a few weeks it’s been if you’re an England football fan with the men’s team progressing to the Quarter Finals at the Euros. I’d like to send congratulations to them all on behalf of the borough. A successful England team helps lift people’s spirits which is so important after everything we’ve been through these last 18 months. Let’s hope they can go all the way this time! If you’re watching on Saturday, have fun but stay safe. ‘Test and Go’ before meeting friends and family from different households to watch the game and if possible watch outdoors.
The latest Covid data is encouraging at present. Our case rates and infection rates are still high but on a downward trend and I am confident that this is down to the impact of our huge surge testing operation and the rollout of the vaccines. A massive thank you to all our residents for your efforts in getting tested and vaccinated and also to the military personnel who supported and the excellent work of Council teams.
The Government have made it clear we have to learn to live with Covid but, so far, have not specified what that means other than the scheduled ending of legal restrictions after July 19th. We will need to know very soon what guidance will be in place nationally as there could be ongoing impacts on the day-to-day lives of individuals, businesses and events. We have had it really tough as a borough and have been in some form of restrictions since March 2020, which is not sustainable. Clarity is needed and there will be a lot of debate but we will lobby for the best for our residents and businesses and, as a Council, continue to support you all through the recovery.
In the immediate term though the mission remains the same: get as many people double-vaccinated as possible, keep following guidance around testing and keep driving the infection rates down.
If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, please book on or walk-in as soon as possible, and get your second dose to give longer lasting, stronger immunity.
We can only get out of this pandemic if we keep working together.