Latest news from Bolton Council including updates on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where can I get a Covid vaccination this weekend?
COVID-19 vaccination services for Bolton residents aged 18 and over are available at the following locations:
Horwich RMI, Ramsbottom Road (BL6 5NH)
First and second doses of Astra Zeneca and Pfizer (walk in, no appointment needed).
- Sat July 24: 9am - 3pm
- Sun July 25: 10am - 3pm
Market Place Shopping Centre
First and second doses of Pfizer (walk in, no appointment needed).
- Sat July 24: 8.30am - 5.30pm
Second doses at ESSA Academy
Any residents who had their first vaccine dose at ESSA academy in May will be due their second dose.
First and second doses of the Pfizer jab will be available from the vaccine bus at ESSA academy from Friday July 23 until Sunday August 1 (10am-4pm).
For more information and updates, follow Bolton CCG on social media and visit the website.
Bolton urged to be cautious as legal COVID restrictions lifted
Bolton residents and have been encouraged to keep themselves and others safe after the lifting of legal COVID restrictions on Monday.
We are now at Step 4 of the COVID-19 roadmap but the government has called for a gradual and cautious reopening.
Bolton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Lowey, has advised everyone to keep following public health precautions such as wearing face coverings, washing hands, social distancing, keeping rooms well ventilated and meeting outdoors.
Council retains COVID measures to protect frontline services
Bolton residents are being asked to continue with COVID-19 precautions when using council facilities, to protect the essential services, we all rely on.
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said:
“We look forward to opening up further in the weeks and months ahead, but it is important we do this safely and responsibly in order to protect both staff and the public.
Two tests a week at home
The end of legal restrictions does not mean the end of risk - COVID-19 has not gone away and we still need to remain cautious and do everything we can to reduce the rate of infection.
A key way of doing this is for everyone to take twice weekly rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests at home.
One in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and could be spreading the virus without knowing.
LFD testing helps identify these positive cases so they can self-isolate to protect others. Find out more on the NHS website.
Tips for keeping cool as heat warning issued
Bolton residents are being urged to keep cool as continuing high temperatures have prompted a national health warning.
The government has published advice and guidance on staying safe, alongside tips on how to beat the heat and keep our homes cool.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Sue Baines, said:
“I encourage everyone to read the advice on staying cool and to keep an eye on friends, relatives and neighbours who may need some help to stay safe this summer.”
Be safe in the water
In this heat, it might seem like a good idea to head for the water to cool off.
Last year,166 people accidentally drowned after getting into difficulty after jumping into open water on a hot day.
Stay safe by:
- Never swimming or jumping into open water - if there’s no lifeguard then don’t swim - Cold Water Shock can kill in just 60 seconds!
- Telling someone where you’re going and when you’re coming back
- Taking any warning or safety signs seriously
- Looking out for hazards around water and sticking to proper pathways
- Never going into the water to rescue your dog - who will rescue you?
Keep our moorlands safe
With the warm weather set to continue, residents are reminded to never light barbecues or campfires when visiting moorland.
Last month marked the third anniversary of the 2018 Winter Hill fire, which spread across seven square miles and put homes and vital infrastructure at risk.
Fires can easily spread in hot weather and the smallest action can have devasting consequences.