Second Saddleworth lockdown could come ‘within days’

SADDLEWORTH could face a second lockdown after a spike in coronavirus cases within days.

And it does not matter if the area in which you live has either none or very few people who have contracted Covid-19.

For complacency could come at a massive cost.

Cllr Arooj Shah

Oldham Council issued a plea for people to strictly observe tougher restrictions it brought in as the rate of transmission rose to 107.5 people per 100,000.

A total of 255 new cases in the borough were confirmed in the week until August 8 – Oldham now has the highest positivity rate of tests in the country, five per cent.

That would mean all non-essential businesses, including the area’s cafes, pubs and bars, as well as gyms, leisure centres and libraries. would be forced to shut their doors again, a month after they were allowed to reopen.

When Leicester was placed into local lockdown, that rate was 135 and both Oldham Council deputy leader Cllr Arooj Shah and director of public health Katrina Stephens spelled out just how close it could be.

Cllr Shah said: “If people don’t act now, it will be days – not even a week – before what could be a local lockdown.

“As a local authority, we’re really concerned and worried at the impact it could have socially, but more importantly, economically.

“When Leicester went into its lockdown, it was an extension of the national one. They hadn’t reopened any of their businesses. We have.

“To lose them will hit our economy significantly. That’s something we really want to avoid happening.

“When some of the restrictions were released, people just felt, ‘It’s fine, it’s over,’ but the virus has always been here and still is.

“People are probably really fatigued with it – I’m fatigued with it. People are fed up, they’re scared, they’re even angry and also confused.”

Dr Stephens added: “It’s difficult to predict whether the rise will continue and how quickly it will but looking back at the last two weeks, we saw a sudden increase, a levelling off and now a sudden increase over the last few days.

Uppermill High Street

“It’s fair to say that based on our experience over the last few days, we could be talking days rather than weeks if these numbers don’t start to turn around.”

If lockdown is imposed, it will have to be by the Government and not Oldham Council.

And Dr Stephens confirmed that whoever enforces it – police or the local authority – will be decided when, or if, it is in place.

She insisted ‘large scale’ closure of bars and pubs can only come with national Government assistance after being asked why Auckland in New Zealand brought one back in after just four cases, the first in 102 days.

She added: “Additional measures were put in place in Oldham two weeks ago but unfortunately since then the numbers of people testing positive have continued to increase.

“If numbers continue to increase, clearly Oldham is at risk of a second lockdown coming into place.

“We can ill afford the impact that would have on the economy. We really need everyone in Oldham to act now.”

Some of the latest data actually shows the Saddleworth area has few, if any, coronavirus cases reported.

Springhead and Grasscroft with three and Lees and Hey with six are the only ones that register but nearby Salem has 12.

And Cllr Shah insisted that just because one area does not appear to have any, do not think you are in the clear.

She added: “It’s really important for people not to be complacent.

“We’ve seen cases across Oldham. Of course, rates are higher in some areas but no-one of us can be complacent about this as we all move around in the local area.

“You may be leaving an area with few cases but are in contact with someone from an area where there is, there can’t be that complacency.

“People need to take it really seriously and act like they, God forbid, have Covid-19 or that the people around them have.”

8 Replies to “Second Saddleworth lockdown could come ‘within days’”

  1. This is like the moors being on fire, it’s an accident waiting to happen! People are very complacent and think that if all the people they know don’t have it , regardless of the consequence , it’s not happening and all is fine! Uppermill has to many people for a small village and it’s getting worse, it will be the incomers arriving in taxis for the weekend that have it. Get a grip Uppermill, you have become one very greedy village!! Lockdown number two is just around the corner!!!

    1. It’s all about common sense and avoiding crowded areas . Living in Saddleworth over the past few months I have been very aware of observing my surroundings and knowing to avoid areas where it is going to be congested . I live in Diggle and have accepted to avoid the popular areas due to visitors to the area. If everyone takes this approach , go elsewhere; there is plenty of space for locals and visitors to enjoy our beautiful surroundings, we might just need to go a little further to avoid busy over populated areas .
      It would also help If everyone adheres to the rules , that would help too ! I couldn’t believe it when I went to a local takeaway last Thursday wearing my mask as were the proprietors .Signs were clearly displayed stating 2 customers only at any given time and a reminder to wear masks .Despite this customers were not adhering to either of the requests whilst I stood outside in disbelief . Yes, the owners should have insisted but also the customers should have also shown courtesy to stick to the rules .Everyone needs to adhere to the rules . I totally understand if people are unable to wear a mask for medical / disability reasons , please wear a badge/lanyard saying so to avoid confrontation ; Oldham council need to promote this too , to ensure there is no back lash for those who aren’t wearing masks .We can’t be complacent just because Saddleworth isn’t as bad as other parts of Oldham . Oldham Council should be putting more signage up in built up and tourist attraction areas rather than just relying on local businesses to do so .Hopefully, this will prey on everyone’s conscience to do the right thing .

  2. Why does the article imply that saddleworth has spiked cases and faces lockdown yet on reading the article actually it has no new cases

  3. Stop saying ” Lockdown” …there was no further lockdown, even by the governments own admission…it’s been more stringent measures have been advised/put into place
    Have some responsibility with the use of language and
    stop creating a panic and fear, not helpful!

  4. I think it could be an ideal opportunity for people to refresh their home skills at making coffee and ordering home deliveries. No Uppermill local interested in moving house, so….

    Take away the coffee emporiums, estate agents and ‘pubs’ in Uppermill. Nowt left…!!! Where did it all go?

    What happened to Nelly & Jim’s Milk bar??

    Tempora mutantur et nos in illa. Qué pena….

    AG.

  5. Why should Saddleworth residents who have complied with government regulations be punished for the irresponsible few … reported in the areas of Wernerth and Alexandria Park . It just doesn’t seem right.

  6. The Police need to crackdown on people who are meeting in large groups – the law is not being enforced. Together with the Licensing team they need to shut down pubs that are allowing idiots to stand around drinking and chatting – the rules are there for everyone – in a pub you must sit at a table only in your own family group. Take the licenses away from pubs that aren’t enforcing this.

    1. It’s all about common sense and avoiding crowded areas . Living in Saddleworth over the past few months I have been very aware of observing my surroundings and knowing to avoid areas where it is going to be congested . I live in Diggle and have accepted to avoid the popular areas due to visitors to the area. If everyone takes this approach , go elsewhere; there is plenty of space for locals and visitors to enjoy our beautiful surroundings, we might just need to go a little further to avoid busy over populated areas .
      It would also help If everyone adheres to the rules , that would help too ! I couldn’t believe it when I went to a local takeaway last Thursday wearing my mask as were the proprietors .Signs were clearly displayed stating 2 customers only at any given time and a reminder to wear masks .Despite this customers were not adhering to either of the requests whilst I stood outside in disbelief . Yes, the owners should have insisted but also the customers should have also shown courtesy to stick to the rules .Everyone needs to adhere to the rules . I totally understand if people are unable to wear a mask for medical / disability reasons , please wear a badge/lanyard saying so to avoid confrontation ; Oldham council need to promote this too , to ensure there is no back lash for those who aren’t wearing masks .We can’t be complacent just because Saddleworth isn’t as bad as other parts of Oldham . Oldham Council should be putting more signage up in built up and tourist attraction areas rather than just relying on local businesses to do so .Hopefully, this will prey on everyone’s conscience to do the right thing .

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