Social distancing: do not travel to borough's beauty spots

With warm weather expected over the weekend and temperatures in some areas set to hit highs of 20°C, councils are urging residents to continue following the government’s guidelines on social distancing.

Unless essential travel is required, households should continue to follow the government’s advice and guidance to remain at home and help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Government guidance advises people to not travel unnecessarily and stay local to your home, whilst only going outside with members of your own household, and gatherings of more than two people (excluding families) in parks and public spaces have been banned.

Last week, residents in Ogden, Newhey, were met by a usually quiet street being inundated with cars from people travelling to the area's reservoirs, which are currently not open in line with government advice.

One resident told Rochdale Online: “To you, it’s a walk in a beauty spot, visiting and leaving with no impact on your life. But for residents, it is leaving us trapped and scared because we have no idea who people have been around. I’m told to avoid people, keep my son at home and stay away from shops and play areas.

“People do have the right to exercise, but please think about where you are going. When you go elsewhere, you are stopping residents there from going out.

“Hopefully people will stop treating the lockdown like a bank holiday.”

Ward councillor Andy Kelly said: “I think it’s vital that everyone stays safe and follows the government’s instructions on staying at home. Taking exercise everyday should not be about getting into the car and driving to a beauty spot because it’s warm weather. The situation is only going to get worse before it gets better and everyone needs to be more considerate in their actions.”

 

 

The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, says it is vital that people avoid taking any unnecessary risks with the nation playing a vital role in fighting this deadly disease.

The LGA is also reminding residents looking to spring clean their homes or do some gardening, that local recycling centres are closed as part of social distancing requirements and staff absences due to social isolation or sickness.

People are reminded:

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home) and should stay more than 2 metres from others.  
• You can also go for a walk or exercise outdoors close to home once a day, but must observe the 2 metre rule when doing so.
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
• Do not meet others who are not in your household, including friends and family.  

Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman, said: “With warm weather forecast for the weekend, I like many others will be looking forward to some fresh air. I understand families might be tempted to go out and enjoy the sunshine, whether that’s a trip to the coast or seaside, or a picnic in a beauty spot or country park.

“But the government’s guidance is clear; you shouldn’t go out unless it is necessary and for essential travel or once daily exercise.

“We know that the vast majority of people have followed the advice and stayed safe and stayed at home.

“By simply remaining at home, we can save lives and reduce the pressure on our incredible health and social care workers.”

Additionally, the Country and Land Association, which represents 30,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses across England and Wales, is also urging people to stick to public rights of way, keep dogs under control and take litter home.

Police have been given powers to direct infected people to go and immediately receive treatment or self-isolate at home. They will also support officers in dealing with those who are not complying with the social-distancing restrictions.

In the first instance, officers will be engaging, explaining and encouraging members of the public to follow the restrictions. This will include asking whether an individual is aware of the government request; establish individual circumstances and how quickly someone can comply. Officers will also explain the risks to public health, and to the NHS in line with government guidance and encourage voluntary compliance.

To ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, if members of the public do not comply the police may:

• instruct them to go home, leave an area or disperse
• ensure parents are taking necessary steps to stop their children breaking these rules
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £60, which will be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days
• issue a fixed penalty notice of £120 for second time offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence
• Individuals who do not pay a fixed penalty notice under the regulations could be taken to court, with magistrates able to impose unlimited fines.
• If an individual continues to refuse to comply, they will be acting unlawfully, and the police may arrest them where deemed proportionate and necessary.

Rochdale’s police have been contacted for guidance on how to report those found to be breaching government guidelines.