Julian Bell concerned about how many are not following official guidance

Cll Julian Bell during his video message

August 15, 2020

The leader of Ealing Council has called for an increase in enforcement of lockdown following a further easing in the rules this weekend.

The Prime Minister has announced that, from Saturday, 15 August, businesses such as those providing beauty treatments. wedding receptions, live indoor performances, bowling alleys, casinos, soft play areas and skating rinks can reopen.

There are also new harsher punishments for those repeatedly flouting the rules with fines being doubled to a maximum of £3,200. New fines being introduced for people hosting unlicensed music events or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people. However, Julian Bell in his regular video update to the borough says that too many people are not following the rules and he called for an increase in enforcement.

He said from his own experience being out in public, he was concerned over the number of people not adhering to government guidance and added, “I think we really do need to up our efforts and spread the message that we need to keep following the rules to stop a local outbreak and to keep Ealing safe.”

No figures for new COVID-19 cases have been released by Public Health England this week, due to a technical problem on their portal. The previous week’s Ealing figures showed a small increase in new cases to 28. That’s 8.2 new cases per 100,000 of population which is a similar rate of infection to neighbouring boroughs and London as a whole.

Cllr Bell said, “It’s a small rise from the previous week. No local outbreak, but we should remain vigilant if we’re to stop the spread of the virus in Ealing and keep Ealing safe.

“We’re not at the levels of other areas in the country, where lockdowns have been imposed. But, if we don’t follow the rules, the virus could quickly spread…

“So, we need to remain vigilant. We need to continue to social distance, wear face coverings, regularly wash our hands and get a test and self-isolate if we have any COVID-19 symptoms.”

He compared Ealing’s 8.2 per 100,000 figure to areas in lockdown such as Blackburn, which has a 81.9 per 100,000 coronavirus rate.


Written with contributions from Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter