Massive crowds seen at Blackpool this weekend despite warning to keep the area ‘safe’

Blackpool was flooded with crowds this weekend, despite a police appeal to not have a ‘last blast’ before new tighter restrictions come to Lancashire this week. 

Visitors flocked to Blackpool this weekend forming massive queues for attractions, heavy traffic and little social distancing. 

A visitor told the BBC: “It was heaving, hardly anyone was wearing masks or social distancing. It was shocking. I’ve never seen it that busy before.”

The Lancashire region will see tighter restrictions from Tuesday, however Blackpool will be exempt as it is ran by a separate unitary authority.

In light of the new rules, Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods from Lancashire Police issued an appeal for people to not have one ‘last blast’ before the restrictions come in place. 

He added: “Going to Blackpool this weekend if you’re not from [there] and mingling in any large crowds – that wouldn’t be looking after your family.

“Make sensible decisions to protect yourselves, going to Blackpool in mass numbers is quite the opposite of protecting yourselves.”

Blackpool’s director of public health Dr Arif Rajpura said: “It is absolutely critical that residents and businesses adhere to the new ‘rule of six’ restrictions and follow all Covid guidelines around social distancing and wearing of face coverings.

“The same advice goes to those visiting our resort. The only way to stop the spread of the virus is to respect the rules which are there for a reason.”

Images from the weekend show huge crowds gathering on streets and in bars just days before the tighter restrictions come into play. 

Blackpool has seen lower infection rates than some parts of the country, however, there has been an increase in positive cases.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council said: “For people living in other parts of the county, let’s keep Blackpool safe, let’s not all flock to Blackpool during the weekend and think that different rules apply.”

Despite this, the area was pictured jam-packed with visitors over the weekend. 

Many people have questioned why Blackpool remains out of the local lockdown restrictions. One person wrote on Twitter: “Question, nearly the whole of Lancashire is under restrictions except Blackpool, WHY?”

Another added: “I drove through Blackpool on Saturday. Tourists everywhere ignoring distancing. Packed pavements with people sat outside bars. Blackpool needs to have the same restrictions imposed as the rest of Lancs”.

Dr Arif Rajpura added: “The special measures that have been announced by the Government across large swathes of the north of England over the past 48 hours illustrate that nowhere is immune to this sort of intervention.

“It is absolutely critical that residents and businesses adhere to the new ‘rule of six’ restrictions and follow all Covid guidelines around social distancing and wearing of face coverings.

“The same advice goes to those visiting our resort. The only way to stop the spread of the virus is to respect the rules which are there for a reason.”