Volunteers, Leaders, Walkers and Runners
Couch to 5k will not be affected by the recent government guidance which suggested that non essential travel in and out of Blackburn was prohibited. This guidance has now been withdrawn.
Blackburn coronavirus: No new restrictions
LANCASHIRE’S public health bosses yesterday said people in Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley were free to travel in and out of their areas after confusion reigned over new government Covid guidelines.
Public health directors for the eight affected areas issued a joint statement saying that after a meeting with government officials they had had it confirmed that there were no travel curbs on people in their boroughs.
It said: “Following the national coverage of recently revised guidance we have met with national officials and confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas: there are no local lockdowns.”
“In areas where the new Covid variant is spreading we are all working together to boost testing and vaccination and to support self-isolation.
“There are sensible public health precautions people can take as individuals in line with the sorts of advice we have all been following throughout the pandemic.
“We will keep sharing that and working with national officials to make sure people understand what they need to think about as they go about their daily lives.”
Covid: Government backtracks over local travel advice after confusion
Ministers have backtracked over travel advice for eight areas worst hit by the Indian virus variant, after a change in guidance led to widespread confusion.
The amended advice asks people to minimise travel into and out of Bolton, Blackburn, Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.
Earlier advice had asked people to avoid non-essential travel altogether.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted communication over the Covid advice could have been “clearer”.
Mr Shapps said the government would “learn from that”, but added he did not believe the change in advice was “actually all that complicated”.
“This is not a new lockdown, this is not law, this is just some advice,” he told BBC Breakfast, adding the purpose was “to remind people that they happen to be living in areas where the risk of transmission is higher”.