BLACKBURN MP Kate Hollern writes her fortnightly column for the Lancashire Telegraph...

As we look ahead to Christmas, I want to reflect on where we are now and share with you what I hope the beginning of next year will look like, following the rollout of more testing and with the vaccination programme starting.

It has been a tough year. Some of us have lost loved ones to this terrible virus, businesses have been devastated, young people have been out of school for long periods and being stuck indoors has had a serious toll on mental health. Yet, in the face of additional restrictions Lancastrians have showed resilience and determination – and I couldn’t be prouder of the community spirit I’ve seen in Blackburn and across Lancashire.

Although it may not feel like it, and Lancashire will be in Tier 3 for at least a while longer, I think the vaccination programme marks the beginning of the end – providing the Government handles it right.

On Tuesday the vaccination programme in Blackburn started at the Royal Blackburn Hospital and Barbara Castle Way Health Centre. It’ll still take weeks until those in the highest priority groups can be vaccinated – care home staff, the over 80s and NHS staff at the highest risk. It’ll take months, I’m told, before there is significant immunity, so we can’t let up on the rules just yet.

With one in three cases asymptomatic, there is a real risk that any one of us could have COVID and pass it on without knowing.

That is why, alongside the vaccine, Blackburn is now eligible to test people without symptoms. Local public health professionals have been clear that by identifying people with COVID we will have a better chance of reducing the infection rate – and the quicker we do that, the more likely our case for less restrictions is going to be heard by the Government.

In order to increase testing capacity, the army has been deployed across Lancashire and they began supporting testing arrangements in Blackburn’s King Georges Hall on Tuesday.

The army will provide support over the next 6 weeks, with testing in community venues being expanded in January.

Tests aren’t compulsory, of course – and it’s time we dispel the outrageous and wild myths that have been doing the rounds on social media. People who receive the vaccination aren’t going to be microchipped, or tracked, or have their DNA stolen. That’s the realm of fantasy.

That said, I’d strongly encourage anyone who can get one to do so. It’s the most effective way we can all do our bit – and doing so would help get our lives and the economy back on track.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas. Enjoy the festive period safely and remember: this time next year we’ll have returned to normal long ago.