Local lockdown ‘not needed’ despite coronavirus cluster

Limavady doesn’t want or need a local lockdown despite a new cluster of coronavirus cases springing up in the town, local businesses and politicians have said.
Market Street in Limavady town centre. The town does not need a lockdown due to coronavirus, businesses and politicians sayMarket Street in Limavady town centre. The town does not need a lockdown due to coronavirus, businesses and politicians say
Market Street in Limavady town centre. The town does not need a lockdown due to coronavirus, businesses and politicians say

A cluster of 16 cases were identified following a social gathering in a house in the Limavady area.

This comes ahead of a decision from the Stormont Executive on the use of face masks in shops.

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Face masks are compulsory in shops in Scotland, with England set to follow suit on Friday, but not in Northern Ireland a decision is expected to be made on the rules for shops in Northern Ireland next week.

A new testing centre has now been opened in the Co Londonderry town, at the North West Regional College campus o the Greystone Road.

Several GAA clubs in the town and surrounding areas have also chosen to suspend activities following the outbreak.

But locals have said they do not wish to see the introduction of a local lockdown in Limavady, whereby more severe coronavirus restrictions are reintroduced.

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Andy Chapman, who runs a gym in Limavady, said another lockdown would be “devastating” to his business.

“I’m frustrated with the potential of another lockdown because we were on our knees already,” he said. “We opened this day last week (July 10) and we can see from our online booking system that our numbers are back up.

“We’re in a business where we’re trying to keep people fit and healthy. We’ve got a massive building out here where we can keep people as far apart as we need to.”

He added: “If we do see another lockdown, businesses won’t be able to survive.”

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Dr Gerry Waldron, from the Public Health Agency, told the BBC a local lockdown “is not needed” in Limavady but confirmed that the re-introduction of restrictions “would be considered” in the future.

Jonathan Duffy, a chef who lives near the town centre said: “People are obviously worried by this but, as far as I can tell, the people who were at the party have all been tracked down under the track and trace system and so I would hope it has been brought under control.

“No one wants to see a return to lockdown and I don’t think it’s needed in this case anyway.”

DUP councillor Alan Robinson said: “There is obviously a sense of concern in the town but it is not panic. The people of Limavady are resilient and the town is open for business.”

He added: “Limavady doesn’t want or need a local lockdown.”

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