VIDEO: Lancashire enters 'high risk' coronavirus status as doctors warn 'lives are at stake'

The town narrowly escaped being put back in full lockdown as it was placed in Tier 2 for risk of transmission of the virus after the system was introduced yesterday.

This means that pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to stay open - for now - but people will not be allowed to meet indoors with anyone they don’t live with unless they are part of the same social bubble. People can still meet outside in parks and gardens, but must abide by the rule of six and obey social distancing.

And the Government has now warned that some or possibly all of Lancashire will be put into the most severe Tier 3 soon. This means that outdoor socialising will also be banned.

It comes as the latest Public Health England figures show there have been five deaths linked to Covid-19 in the last week in Blackpool - as many as there were in the previous month.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council’s director of public health, said: “I have said it before many times and I will say it again as I can’t stress how important this is, lives are at risk.

“Cases are now rising quickly across the country and Blackpool is not immune to this. We need to act now. If for some reason you had become a little complacent please let this message be the one that gets through to you to protect you and your loved ones.

“The rules are now simple; the risk is also high. Please keep your distance from people you do not live with, wash your hands often, and wear a face mask.

“We have marginally avoided going into the highest risk category with much harsher measures, we want it to stay like that. Whether you are a resident, visitor or business in Blackpool, at this critical point in the pandemic we all need to join together and put up a real fight against this virus.”

LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL SAID...

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire County Council’s director of public health, said: “We have had restrictions on our lives since March and we are all tired, but with infections on the rise it is now more important than ever that we play our part to prevent its spread.

“Lives are at stake here, and it could be the lives of the people closest to you.

“The most important thing you can do when you interact with people you don’t live with is to keep your distance.

“Combined with regular hand-washing and wearing a mask this vastly reduces your risk of getting infected or passing it on if you have it.

“I’ve got a simple message – hands, face, space actually works. Please follow it to protect you and those you love.”

LANCASHIRE POLICE SAID...

"For now, Lancashire remains in ‘Tier 2’ which means we are at high risk. It’s so important to remember that this could change at any time and we are at real risk of being subjected to more restrictive measures if we don’t do all we can to stop the spread.

“The best thing we can do to support our families, local businesses and those struggling in isolation, is to follow the rules and not prolong these measures. Moving into very high risk is not inevitable. We can change it.

“We will continue to engage, explain and educate the public, but are prepared to enforce if we need to, to make sure those small businesses and our Lancashire economy is not further effected."