EAST Lancashire’s two public health directors have warned that even moving the county into the toughest level of coronavirus restriction may not be enough to stem the spread of the infection.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi and Professor Dominic Harrison expressed their fears for the future as negotiations with Whitehall continued over the upgrading of at least parts of the county from tier two Local Covid Alert Level ‘High’ to tier three ‘Very High’.

This would mean leisure centres, gyms, bars and pubs would shut and households banned from mixing outdoors and in gardens as well as indoors.

The talks between government officials and local political leaders centre round how much of the county would be moved into tier three and the provisions of a support package for businesses and workers affected.

Whitehall sources indicated no decisions or announcement would be made until tomorrow morning at the earliest so ministers could consider the recommendations from a ‘Gold Command’ meeting of the Joint Biosecurity Committee scheduled for late this afternoon.

Prof Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s public health director, said: “We believe that most of Lancashire will need to move to level three as soon as possible, but that these measures are unlikely to result in a sharp downward trajectory in four weeks’ time and that further measures will be needed.”

Dr Karunanithi, his counterpart at Lancashire County Council, said: “I share Dominic’s concerns that even tier three may not be enough.

"I think it is inevitable we will be moved into tier three. The infection rates in Burnley are very high.

"It is a question of whether we reach an agreement or the Health Secretary Matt Hancock does it unilaterally.

"We are get to get a strong package of support for businesses and individuals affected as it will harm them. I just hope people follow the guidelines so we do not need extra measures."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Decisions are made in close consultation with local leaders and public health experts, informed by the latest evidence from the JBC, NHS Test and Trace, Public Health England and the chief medical officer.

“We discuss measures with local directors of public health and local authorities, constantly review the evidence and will take swift action where necessary."

Lancashire County Council leader Cllr Geoff Driver and his Blackburn with Darwen counterpart Cllr Mohammed Khan have both told the Local Demcracy Service they believe it is 'inevitable' at least the east of the county will be transferred from tier two to tier three.