COVID-19 Visitor Update

Amidst the fast-changing situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we want to keep all Lancashire visitors, past, present and future, as up to date as possible. Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of all our visitors, residents, and colleagues. 

Blog updated 25 February 2022

On Monday, the Prime Minister announced the government’s Living with COVID-19 plan.
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You can find the full document, the Prime Minister's statement and this news story online. The ongoing response will be structured around four principles:

1. Living with COVID-19: removing domestic restrictions while encouraging safer behaviours through public health advice, in common with longstanding ways of managing most other respiratory illnesses;
2. Protecting people most vulnerable to COVID-19: vaccination guided by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice, and deploying targeted testing. You may wish to read this press release and share this tweet detailing the latest JCVI advice to offer a spring COVID-19 vaccine dose for the most vulnerable;
3. Maintaining resilience: ongoing surveillance, contingency planning and the ability to reintroduce key capabilities such as mass vaccination and testing in an emergency; and
4. Securing innovations and opportunities from the COVID-19 response, including investment in life sciences.

​​​Key announcements include:​​​​​​

• Ending of legal requirement to self isolate following a positive test result from 24 February. 
• Ending of legal requirement to test for 7 days after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive from 24 February. 
• End of routine contact tracing on 24 February.
• Ending of free testing for the general public from 1 April.
• Ending of guidance for voluntary COVID-status certification for certain venues from 1 April.

How to avoid getting sick 

Approximately 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising it.

Remember - ‘Hands. Face. Space.’

• Hands – wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
• Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• Space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

In all circumstances, you should follow the guidance on meeting others safely.

Respect, Protect, Enjoy

When out and about, we need to remember to look after ourselves, one another and the environment around us. So, to make sure we’re all doing our bit to tread lightly and travel responsibly, we’ve put together a few simple steps to help you enjoy your days out as safely as possible. Find out more by following #respectprotectenjoy.

• When planning your trip, check that important facilities – like toilets and car parks – are open before you travel so you’re not caught short.
• If you have an attraction in mind, please check online to see if you need to pre-book a time slot. 
• Some places may be extremely popular, so get off the beaten track and discover a hidden gem that you can brag to friends about. 
• Keep two metres apart from anyone outside your household (one metre plus from the 4th July) – this not only applies to walking, but running, cycling, sitting and sunbathing too.
• Wear your face covering at all times when on public transport like buses, trains, taxis, and minicabs. 
• Make sure you have a bank card; many outlets are currently only accepting cashless payments – and you don’t want to miss out on that ice cream!
• Take hand sanitiser with you – you don’t know where will be open for you to wash your hands. 
• Leave the car behind where possible and visit nearby attractions by walking or cycling.

And here are a few more for you to bear in mind when exploring Lancashire’s great outdoor spaces:

• Let's try our best to keep our outdoor spaces looking beautiful by putting all rubbish in the nearest bins or taking it home if bins are full. 
• Whilst enjoying the great outdoors more, you’re likely to come across wildlife. Try not to disturb them, or any farm animals for that matter. Keep your four-legged friend on a lead and remember to bag and bin any mess they leave behind. 
• Don't use disposable barbecues as they risk causing wildfires – get a takeaway burger instead.
• Stick to designated footpaths and follow local signage for restrictions on routes.

The countryside code contains advice for the public and landowners, making it easier for visitors to help respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors.

For more information please visit gov.uk

Follow our social media channels for regular updates on what is happening across the county.

Twitter - @VisitLancashire
Facebook - @VisitLancashire
Instagram - @VisitLancashire

All care has been taken to make sure that this information is correct and up-to-date at time of distribution (25.02.22 4pm).  All residents and visitors are advised to consult the government guidance if in any doubt.