Blackpool is not going to be subject to incoming restrictions to curb the rise of Covid restrictions, but the rest of Lancashire are about to come under tougher rules to stop rise of Coronavirus
Visitors have flocked to Blackpool this weekend, as the rest of Lancashire prepares for coronavirus restrictions to come into force.
Video footage from the resort on Saturday showed crowds of people on the promenade.
Visitors reported queues for attractions, gridlocked traffic, little social distancing and few people wearing masks indoors.
Pubs shut
Extra measures, preventing households from mixing in private homes and meaning pubs and restaurants must shut by 10pm, are due to come into force to tackle rising coronavirus rates in Lancashire on Tuesday.
However Blackpool, which is run by a separate unitary authority, will not be subject to the restrictions.
The town’s famous Illuminations are on display until January, with the normal run extended for two months to boost tourism, and on Saturday those visiting the seaside also enjoyed sunny weather.
Police had said they were preparing for large crowds in Blackpool over the weekend.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Deputy Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary Terry Woods said: “Going to Blackpool, if you’re not from Blackpool, this weekend and mingling in any large crowds, that is not looking after my family and it wouldn’t be looking after your family.
“What we need to do is focus in on protecting yourself and your family. Make sensible decisions to protect yourselves, going to Blackpool in mass numbers is quite the opposite of protecting yourselves.”
Positive cases
Infection rates in Blackpool are lower than in some parts of Lancashire but the area has seen an increase in positive cases.
On Friday, Blackpool’s director of public health Dr Arif Rajpura said: “The special measures that have been announced by the Government across large swathes of the north of England over the past 48 hours illustrate that nowhere is immune to this sort of intervention.
“It is absolutely critical that residents and businesses adhere to the new ‘rule of six’ restrictions and follow all Covid guidelines around social distancing and wearing of face coverings.
“The same advice goes to those visiting our resort. The only way to stop the spread of the virus is to respect the rules which are there for a reason.”
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