A BUSINESS leader has warned people in Barrow to stick to new Covid-19 guidelines to prevent a localised lockdown in the town.

Colin Garnett, manager of Barrow’s Business Improvement District, was speaking as tough new measures were revealed after the number of cases in the town spiralled.

For the week ending September 11 Barrow had the highest number of new positive cases in Cumbria - 29 - for the second week running, up from zero cases just a few weeks ago.

It has led to health bosses ordering people to limit social gatherings to six people from no more than two households at any one time.

Also from Monday visiting restrictions will be in place in care homes, and non-essential visitors to schools will be also be restricted.

Mr Garnett asked people to behave and abide by the rules, because a second lockdown for Barrow would be a ‘disaster’.

He said: “We have seen businesses adapt and continue to serve the local community, but many businesses rely on having people present.

“Without significant financial support from the Government many businesses will struggle to survive a second lockdown, as the likes of hair and beauty salons, bars an nightclubs and leisure industry businesses rely entirely on people visiting their businesses.

“It is therefore important that individuals follow the Government guidance and, wear a mask, social distance and clean their hands regularly to stop the spread of Coronavirus and help the UK beat this pandemic.”

Furness General Hospital has also seen an increase in Covid-19 patients with 15 being treated there.

Local contact tracing information is said to show many of the positive cases are unconnected to one another, prompting the action.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, said: “The number cases in Barrow has risen rapidly in the last 10 days, and in combination with the way we are seeing infection spreading, this is very concerning.

“Barrow is not yet seeing the level of infection in places like Oldham, but without action this is clearly where we are heading.

“The new local action we are taking is aimed at protecting local people and stopping Barrow having local lockdown measures imposed upon it by Government.

“I strongly encourage people to follow this new advice. The advice will be in place for the next two weeks, after which it will be reviewed. My hope is that it will not be necessary to keep it in place for longer.”

The new guidance was agreed yesterday by local political leaders at a meeting of the Local Area Outbreak Board, following recommendations from the multi-agency Health Protection Board.

Councillor Stewart Young, the leader of Cumbria County Council and chair of the Area Outbreak Board urged people to keep the community safe.

He said: “The threat from this virus has not gone away and if we have learnt anything from the last six months it is how quickly infection can spread once it gets hold in an area.

“The signs in the Barrow area are all pointing in the wrong direction.

“It may not look right now that huge numbers of people are being infected, but without action we know where this will end up.

“No one wants to restrict people going about their business if it can be helped, but if people don’t take notice now and follow this new advice I fear that far more restrictive measures will be imposed as has happened elsewhere in the country.

“I urge people to take note and help keep the community safe.”

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow, said: “This action is designed to limit the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable people in our community. Working together we can limit the spread of this virus, protecting each other by being sensible, careful and cautious.

“The last thing we want is a full local lockdown in Barrow, so I would urge everyone to follow this advice for the good of your friends, family, neighbours and the local community.”

Barrow Council leader Ann Thomson said: "The rapid increase in the number of cases here in our borough in such a short amount of time is a serious concern. These new measures are absolutely necessary if we are to avoid the level of infections seen in other parts of the country where local lockdowns have been introduced.

"Every single one of us has a part to play in this. Please follow the advice and make sure you are meeting up in groups of six from no more than two households to keep our communities as safe as possible."