Coronavirus Update

Following an overall increase in the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, and West Yorkshire the Government and relevant local authorities are acting together to introduce some measured localised restrictions.

From 31 July, local changes have been introduced. These are summarised below. The full guidance can be viewed at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-of-england-local-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

From 31 July 2020, if you live in Rossendale, you should follow these rules when meeting people who you do not live with.

Social contact

If you live in Rossendale, in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you should not:

• meet people you do not live with inside a private home or garden, except where you have formed a support bubble (or for other limited exemptions to be specified in law).
• visit someone else’s home or garden even if they live outside of the affected areas.
• socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions. You may attend these venues with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with others. If you run such a business, you should take steps to ensure people do not interact with people they do not live with, in line with COVID-19 secure guidance.

The Government will pass new laws to enforce the changes to meeting people in private homes and gardens. The police will be able to take action against those that break these rules, including asking people to disperse can issue fixed penalty notices.

Your household – as defined in law – is only the people you live with. If you have formed a support bubble (which must include a single adult household i.e. people who live alone or single parents with dependent children aged under 18) these can be treated as if they are members of your household.

Workplaces - People living inside and outside of this area can continue to travel in and out for work. Workplaces must implement Covid-19 Secure guidance. There are no changes to existing provisions for the opening of workplaces in Rossendale.

Care Homes - You should not visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances. Care homes should restrict visits to these circumstances.

Shielding – Clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer have to follow the shielding guidance from the 1 August.  The new restrictions do not alter this.

Provisions for Celebrating Eid - you should not host or visit friends and family in each other’s homes or gardens. It will shortly be illegal to do so. You also should not meet friends and family in other venues – including restaurants or cafes.

Up to two households, or six people from any number of households may meet outdoors (excluding people’s gardens) where there is a lower risk of infection. If you do so, you should still socially distance from those you do not live with, and avoid physical contact.

Places of Worship – You may attend a church, mosque or other place of worship but you must socially distance from people outside of your household. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres, or 1 metre with mitigations (e.g. face coverings). We recommend at this time that if possible prayer/religious services take place outdoors.

Cafés, restaurants, gyms and other public places – you may continue to visit these places but should only go with members of your own household – even if you are going outside of the restricted area.

Weddings and funerals – these can still go ahead but should be limited to no more than 30 people and subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

These restrictions are subject to review and the council continues to monitor the local situation.

1. For further guidance on protecting yourself from COVID-19, please see https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus