Social distancing in Wellingborough to be enforced by council officers this weekend

Wellingborough Council will be sending enforcement officers out this weekend to make sure businesses and residents are following social distancing rules as the borough tries to avoid a local lockdown.

Council leader, Conservative Cllr Martin Griffiths, made the announcement in a press conference today as Wellingborough was named an area of concern by public health officials.

Cllr Griffiths said: "We are aware of the increasing figures and we are determined to tackle it head-on and follow best-practice that is achieving some reduction in other areas of the country.

"Our enforcement officers will be out this weekend in the hospitality sector.

"If necessary, we will enforce (social distancing).

"What we need to do is make sure we do our very best by sticking to these rules and avoiding any further measures and potential lockdown."

The news comes as Wellingborough residents have been told by public health officals to act now by following government guidance and extra rules following a rise in cases in the borough.

Government figures show Wellingborough has seen an increasing number of positive Covid-19 tests since late July.

In the week between July 27 and August 2, there were 13 new cases.

The new cases in Wellingborough have not been attributed to a particular cause.

In a press conference today, Northamptonshire's director of public health, Lucy Wightman, said: "It's quite a disperse picture, there doesn't seem to be an ascribed outbreak."

Ms Wightman said testing was the key to keeping on top of the situation in the county. Kettering and Corby both have test sites available until further notice, while Wellingborough will be getting a mobile test unit in the Tesco car park from tomorrow.

Ms Wightman said the Wellingborough mobile test unit will definitely be available for three days, but health officials are working to secure it for a week.

Anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms should book a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.