BOROUGH COUNCIL LEADER SOUNDS NOTE OF CAUTION AFTER 'HUGE SACRIFICES' MADE SINCE THE PANDEMIC FIRST BROKE AS PRIME MINISTER PUTS BRAKES ON LOCKDOWN EASING MEASURES

'IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER AT THIS FESTIVAL TO MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE STAYING SAFE'

MUSLIMS in Atherstone and North Warwickshire have been urged to observe social distancing rules over the festival of sacrifice of Eid-al-Adha to avoid the risk of any local lockdown measures.

Borough council leader David Wright has called for "safe celebrations" to avert reversing "all the good work" of recent months in adhering to Covid-19 restrictions.

Councillor Wright said "huge sacrifices" have been made since the pandemic first broke which he accepts have been hard for families across the borough to endure.

His cautionary words came as 4.5 million people in northern England woke up to new restrictions which include the banning of separate households from meeting at home after a significant spike in new coronavirus cases – and as Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the brakes on further lockdown easing scheduled for tomorrow.

The new rules, which came into force at midnight, mean people from different households in Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire will not be allowed to congregate inside properties homes or even private gardens.

And the Office for National Statistics today revealed the number of coronavirus cases had increased with 35,700 people currently infected the virus. The new stats suggest around 4,200 new cases were recorded per day from July 20 to July 26.

Strict lockdown rules meant there were no public celebrations for Eid al-Fitr in May but the easing of restrictions over the last six weeks have seen mosques reopened but with fewer people attending.

The arrival of Eid-al-Adha, which comes in the last month of the Islamic calendar, is the first major test for religions in a 'new normal' of social distancing.

In a statement, the local authority said: "This Eid al-Adha it is more important than ever to make sure you and your family are staying safe in North Warwickshire.

"Some faith leaders continue to use digital tools to bring worshippers together for prayers and sermons and we would encourage you to take advantage of these services where possible, to mark Eid-al-Adha safely.

"To avoid any local lockdown measures, we are making sure Eid can be celebrated safely by encouraging those celebrating to do so safety by continuing to keep social distance from those people you don't live with, wash your hands more frequently for at least 20 seconds during the day, and stay alert during this difficult time."

Cllr Wright, who took over the leadership of the Atherstone-based authority at the start of Covid-19 lockdown, said: "Stay alert this Eid when you attend prayers and while spending time celebrating with family and friends.

"We have all made huge sacrifices in the past few months and I know how hard it has been for you and your families.

"We must not reverse all this good work and it's important we continue to keep our distance from those we do not live with.

"I hope that this time next year we will be able to celebrate as we normally do.

"In the meantime please stay safe and Eid Mubarak."

Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership added: "If you're celebrating Eid-al-Adha, remember to #StayAlert by only joining with one other household and visiting coronavirus-secure mosques."

Footnote: Atherstone's nearest mosque is in Nuneaton or alternatively on the Solihull side of the borough or Coventry were there are a dozen holy buildings.