From Halloween trick or treating to Christmas lights switch-ons - events galore ruled out

Trick-or-treating and large-scale events for religious celebrations have been banned as part of the latest restrictions to combat Covid-19 in Lancashire.
Christmas lights switch-ons are among the events ruled out by Covid restrictions in Lancashire for the rest of this yearChristmas lights switch-ons are among the events ruled out by Covid restrictions in Lancashire for the rest of this year
Christmas lights switch-ons are among the events ruled out by Covid restrictions in Lancashire for the rest of this year

Bonfire Night displays, Remembrance Sunday commemorations and Christmas lights switch-ons are among annual landmarks on the calendar for the rest of this year which will be ruled out .

Under guidance on restrictions around upcoming faith and community events for the remainder of 2020 issued by the Lancashire Resilience Forum, which co-ordinates the county's measures to combat the pandemic, trick or treating is also banned.

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The restrictions relate to upcoming events including Prophet Muhammad's birthdate (October 28 and 29), Halloween (October 31), Bonfire celebrations (November 5-7), Remembrance Sunday (November 8), Diwali (November 14), Hanukkah (December 10 to 18) and the switching on of Christmas lights.

The Forum says that in line with national restrictions on numbers at events and current strong advice in Lancashire to avoid households mixing, the decision has been taken to prohibit large scale events to mark these occasions in Lancashire.

Angie Ridgwell, chairman of the Lancashire Resilience Forum, said: "We know these are important events for everyone in our community and we're sorry that we have to do this. We haven't taken these decisions lightly and really grateful for your support. By following this guidance we will all limit the spread of coronavirus and help keep people safe.

“While Lancashire continues to experience a rapid increase of coronavirus cases that puts the county among the highest level of transmissions in the country, large scale community events create too great a risk for the public.

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“It is vital that we all work together to follow these regulations and avoid the temptation to break the rules on visiting other people’s homes or gardens to celebrate these events putting yourself and others at risk.

“We are working with various faith and business groups as well as charitable and community organisations – such as the British Legion – to see whether alternative arrangements can be made to mark these occasions.”

Small scale or civic events, such as a ceremonial wreath laying, will be permitted providing permission has been sought from the relevant local authority.

Any agreed event will have to be Covid-secure with no more than 15 people present, and no households mixing.

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With regard to trick or treating, an LRF spokesman said children visiting other people’s homes or gardens would contravene rules on households mixing.

She added police will engage with people, explain the rules and only use enforcement as a last resort for any breaches of the restrictions.

.Anyone planning an event or with any questions relating to events in their area is asked to contact their local authority.