Published Friday 9 July 2021 at 11:09
Our Strategic Director of Adults and Health, Sayyed Osman, has written a column for the Lancashire Telegraph this week:
I am picking up the weekly column this week and I write this after the England men’s football team made history by progressing to their first final of a major tournament since 1966.
As England fans, this is a position very few of us have been in before and it’s all thanks to Gareth Southgate and his team. I’d like to send my congratulations on behalf of the whole borough.
As we’ve seen over the last few weeks, a successful England team lifts everyone’s spirits – and this one has done more than most! Their run in the Euros has been so timely after everything we’ve all been through these last 18 months.
So a nervous but exciting weekend awaits and if you’re watching the final on Sunday, 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.
Elsewhere in the borough, Eid-al-Adha is approaching – it’s expected to fall around July 19th/20th. This is the Eid after the Pilgrimage in Islam.
Last year Eid-al-Adha was severely affected by tighter restrictions for Blackburn with Darwen announced at short notice, which caused a lot of upset for many Muslim families locally.
Naturally, many Muslims will be looking forward to celebrating Eid this year with family and friends, especially as it will fall after the end of Covid restrictions – depending on the government’s decision next Monday.
Some people may be tempted to celebrate Eid ‘normally’. However, our advice is to ask our communities to be mindful that virus rates in the borough remain high. I want to appeal to everyone in the borough to take personal responsibility for their own actions following the relaxing of restrictions, and to do the right thing to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Simple precautions like good ventilation, regular hand washing and keep a mask with you so that you have the option to wear it in situations for extra precaution or to protect vulnerable people.
And ahead of that expected move to step 4 of the roadmap on July 19th it’s vital we 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, there will be more opportunities available in the next few weeks so look out.
And get your second dose to give longer lasting, stronger immunity. We will get out of this pandemic, but we can only do it if we keep working together.