Local restrictions and government guidance

Updated 16 October 2020

New Tier 3 restrictions

From 12.01am on Saturday 17 October the following new restrictions are in force in Blackpool and Lancashire

This means the following restrictions are in place:

• No socialising with people unless you live with them or they are in your support bubble, in any indoor setting or in any private garden, or at most outdoor hospitality venues and ticketed events
• Do not socialise in a group of more than 6 in any outdoor public space
• All pubs and bars must close, unless serving substantial meals
• People should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert areas other than for work, education or for caring responsibilities
• If you are resident in a very high alert level area, you may travel to hotels and other guest accommodation within that area but you should only do this with people in your household or support bubble
• Residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK
• Places of worship remain open, but household mixing is not permitted
• Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees, but wedding receptions are not allowed

From 12.01am on Monday on Monday the 19 October the following additional restrictions will be in place

• The adult gaming industry, casinos, bingo halls, bookmakers and betting shops, and soft play areas must close
• Car boot sales would not be permitted
• Universities should move to remote learning where possible

You must:

• Wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated

You should continue to:

• Follow social distancing rules
• Work from home where you can effectively do so
• Walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport

Find out more about the measures that apply in high alert level areas to help reduce the spread of COVID-19

These measures will be reviewed every 14 days to consider whether they are still appropriate.

The following restrictions are in place in areas of England that are not classed as High or Very High

This means:

• You must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than where a legal exemption applies)
• Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
• Certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am
• Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
• Schools and universities remain open
• Places of worship remain open, subject to the rule of 6
• Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
• Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or indoors if the rule of 6 is followed

You must:

• Wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated

You should continue to:

• Follow social distancing rules
• Work from home where you can effectively do so
• When travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes. Walk or cycle if you can. You should avoid travelling to areas in the Very High category

Find out more about the measures that apply in medium alert level areas to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Now that Blackpool is under Tier 3 (Very High) restrictions, here's the latest advice for people who were previously shielding:

Although the government has not reintroduced shielding under the new local area restrictions, the following guidance has been given for people classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable to stay as safe as possible.

• Stay at home as much as you can, and only travel when essential
• Maintain social distancing within your household, if possible
• You can still meet up with your support bubble, but you are advised not to meet with other friends and family who are not part of your support bubble
• You can continue to go outside for exercise but are advised to avoid busy areas to minimise the chance of coming into close contact with other people
• If you can work from home, you should. If you cannot work from home and are concerned about going into work, speak to your employer
• Do your shopping online, or ask others in your household or support bubble to collect shopping and medication for you. If that is not possible, contact us using the details below
• Continue to receive care at home, from professional social care workers or medical professionals, as well as from friends and family within your support bubble
• You can still attend any hospital or doctor's appointments that you already have scheduled, following general advice around wearing a mask, keeping a 2m social distance and regularly washing your hands

More information and full guidance

Please to follow government guidance on social distancing when keeping in touch with family and friends living in care homes and supported living services. You should continue to keep in contact with your friends and loved ones using digital technology such as video calling, social media or by phone rather than visiting in person.

The recent relaxation of the lockdown measures means that there are now opportunities for residents living in care homes and supported living to receive visits from family, loved ones and close friends in some circumstances.

Each care provider will have their own policy on visiting, but it is recommended that people should only visit in person when it is absolutely essential and visits should be limited to a maximum of two people from the same household.

In homes where there are confirmed outbreaks of Covid-19, no visiting will be allowed, apart from in exceptional circumstances when residents are at the end of their lives.

More information on shielding and protecting vulnerable people.

If you have concerns about a business in Blackpool not following government guidance, please tell us.

We can only respond to concerns made about businesses in Blackpool. Reports of businesses not in Blackpool will not be processed or passed on.
Once a concern has been submitted, we will carry out the necessary checks to ensure that the business is compliant. If you have given us your contact details, we may contact you for more information.

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