South Ribble Borough Council leader reacts to tier-4 restrictions decision

Leader of South Ribble Borough Council Paul Foster

South Ribble Borough Council has told residents that they are there to support anyone who needs help under new tier-4 restrctions.

The announcement was made yesterday, seeing South Ribble and Lancashire move into the strictest tier of restrictions.

Council leader councillor Paul Foster: “We know this is really difficult news for everyone as residents in the borough have been doing their best to keep infection rates down but cases have been rising across the county and the medical experts say tougher restrictions are needed.

“The wider question here is how the Government has let us get in this situation in the first place. We are in effect almost back to square one with pretty much everything closed down and people being told to stay at home – if the Government had acted more quickly in reacting to the changing situation and had an effective track and trace system in place run by local authorities we’d be in a much better place and perhaps able to have more of our businesses open and people in work.

“As a small business owner I know this is an extremely worrying and difficult time for people and we will be working as fast as we can to get any further support and grants out to businesses as quickly as we can – we will update our website with new information as soon as we have it.

“We had some really positive news about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine this morning and what we need now is some clarity from ministers as to how and when this will be rolled out in South Ribble so residents and businesses can see a way out of the pandemic.

“As we have been throughout the pandemic we are ready and waiting to help so we can get our businesses open and get back to normal.

“In the meantime we need everyone to continue to do their bit, observe the new restrictions and remember the basics of hands, face, space.”

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