MP joins volunteers in a bid to lower infection rate in Oldham

l to r: Alex Birtles, NHS Test and Trace, talking to Arooj Shah, deputy leader of the council, and Debbie Abrahams MP, as they take the Covid safety messages to residents in Clarksfield.

Oldham East and Saddleworth’s MP, Debbie Abrahams, has been out and about with volunteers, Oldham Council staff and councillors knocking on doors in a bid to try and lower the rate of infections across the town.

It comes after the town had a number of restrictions placed on it last Friday (21st August) but was able to stay out of a Leicester-style local lockdown.

Debbie, who was a public health consultant before becoming an MP, said: “We had a really positive response from the lovely people of Clarksfield, most of whom were doing everything they should and were pleased to see us.

“Where there was any confusion about our local Covid restrictions we were able to help explain what they are and why they’re so important.

“The teams, made up of council staff, councillors and volunteers, were amazing. 

“It’s down to their hard work that we were able to stave off the threat of a disastrous Leicester-style full lockdown, and this allowed our local businesses to stay open.”

The team were joined by Alex Birtles, Advisor to the Executive Chair, NHS Test and Trace, to observe first-hand how Oldham was getting the information out to residents.

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