Covid: Blackburn MP accuses government of imposing 'lockdown lite'

An MP has accused the government of rolling out "lockdown lite through the back door" in Blackburn with Darwen.

Government advice has emerged urging people to avoid travelling in and out of eight areas hardest hit by the Indian Covid-19 variant.

The affected areas include the area and nearby Burnley in Lancashire.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said she was "furious" local authorities were not consulted "as it has major implications for businesses and schools".

The prime minister's official spokesman stressed the new measures were guidance only and "not statutory".

Posting on Twitter, the Labour MP said she "strongly opposes" the government's attempt to introduce new measures "by stealth and without consultation".

Ms Hollern also reiterated calls to speed up the vaccine rollout and provide support for businesses and schools.

Advice against non-essential travel to Blackburn with Darwen and Bolton in Greater Manchester and for people there to meet outside where possible was issued on 14 May.

The advice for Burnley, Kirklees, Bedford, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside was published online on Friday, on a page in a section of the government's website which deals with the Covid-19 restrictions, and urges "an extra cautious approach".

In a joint statement, public health directors from all eight areas reiterated that the advice was for guidance only.

They said they had been assured by government officials there were no legal restrictions on travel in or out of each of the areas and "no local lockdowns".

"We are all working together to boost testing and vaccination and to support self-isolation," they said, and also urged people to continue taking "sensible public health precautions".

Blackburn with Darwen recorded 302 cases per 100,000 people in the week leading up to 21 May, the second highest in England, while Burnley had 70 infections per 100,000 people in the same period.

However, the council areas which lie between the two, Rossendale and Hyndburn, have not been made subject to the guidance, despite the infection rates there standing at 113 cases per 100,000 people and 78 cases per 100,000 people respectively in the same period.

It comes as East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed it was treating 17 Covid patients compared to four last week, with three in critical care.

In an email sent to staff, the trust said it was continuing "to deal with a range of pressures, including a rise in the community prevalence of Covid-19 across East Lancashire".

"This is resulting in some of the highest attendances the organisation has ever seen - topping more than 700 people on Monday.

"The trust has only seen volumes at this level five times before dating back to 2017."

Blackburn's director of public health Prof Dominic Harrison said the affected areas "were not consulted with, warned of, notified about, or alerted to this guidance".

He said he asked the government on Monday evening for evidence to show whether the move is justified and had not received a response.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham said: "With new variants emerging it's really important we remain cautious.

"The latest government guidance makes clear areas like Burnley, where there has been signs of the variant first identified in India being present, that caution is particularly important."

The Conservative added: "That means getting tested twice a week, going for the Covid jab as soon as you're eligible, and being responsible and cautious with the easing of restrictions."

Kelsey Arnfield, a mother-of-four from Darwen who travelled to Burnley to do some shopping, said she "didn't have a clue" about the new guidance.

She said it was "stupid", adding: "How are we supposed to know? Not everyone goes on the computer."

The 29-year-old said it will not change her plans for the upcoming half-term holidays.

"We won't be sticking in Blackburn," she said.

"I'll still be going to see my family in Manchester.

"As long we keep social distancing, [wearing] masks and hand washing, I don't see what the problem is."

The prime minister's spokesman said the government had "been clear people in these areas should recognise the extra risk posed by the variant and exercise their judgment".

"The prime minister talked about this during his press conference on 14 May, and government has reiterated a similar message since," he added.

"We are in contact with local authorities and that will continue."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]