Tourists urged to get themselves tested before they visit Blackpool
Tourism bosses are in talks to see if they can test visitors staying in hotels and anyone travelling there by coach before they board
Blackpool is ramping up its defences against covid outbreaks as they prepare for an influx of staycationers this summer.
They're urging holidaymakers to get themselves tested before they come to the town over fears there'll be a spike in cases.
Tourism bosses are also in talks to get people travelling by coach tested before they board as well as people staying in hotels.
Dr Arif Rajpura is the town's Public Health Director, he said: "What we don't want is people arriving and then potentially testing here and testing positive and then that creates all sorts of issues, so really what we want is everyone to be tested before they arrive.
"Now if people arrive and they haven't been tested then yes of course there will be test kits available but my main advice is please get tested before you come to the resort.
"I think if everyone follows the advice and gets tested before they arrive I think we can minimise any impact on our tourist industry and minimise any issues around having outbreaks. But of course, even if we do get an outbreak, we've got a help section team and we've got an outbreak management plan in place ready to go if things like that do happen."
The resort's latest covid rate in the seven days leading up to April 30th is currently 12.2, Dr Rajpura added: "Everyone's done a great job in Blackpool to keep those rates as low as they've been, everyone's done a great job.
"We need to keep those rates low, and what that means is everyone following the rules, getting regularly tested and of course when invited in getting their vaccine as well because that's going to be the main measure going forward to get us out of the situation we're in."
Liz Petch, a consultant with the local public health team, said talks had been held with the hospitality sector.
She said: “Planning work and engagement has gone on with the hospitality and hotel sector, first to ensure they test their staff regularly.
“But we’re also hoping we’ll be able to have test kits available for visitors to use when they are staying in hotels too.
“At the moment we have a good supply of kits so its not an issue, at least until the end of June.”
She added visitors could also use the community testing drop in facility inside the Houndshill Shopping Centre.
A meeting of tourism and health bosses heard current contracts for the government to supply free tests were only in place until the end of June, but public health chiefs nationally were lobbying for testing to continue beyond that date.
Ms Petch said there were no prcedures currently in place for train passengers, but talks had been held with coach operators.