Report Page 8 - Southport, Formby, Liverpool, 2020-10-18

News reports located on this page = 4.

MP Damien Moore is urging people to dispose of their face masks responsibly

THE Conservative MP for Southport said he has been contacted by dozens of local residents, appalled at seeing discarded masks lying on the floor across the area. Southport and the rest of the Liverpool City Region is today under new Tier Three restrictions, following a sharp rise in positive Covid-19 tests and hospital admissions in the Merseyside area. Mr Moore said:- “Wearing masks and face coverings in certain areas is playing a vital part in keeping ourselves and others safe from Coronavirus. The vast majority of people have been following the new rules on face coverings and I thank them for doing so, and for disposing of their masks properly. Unfortunately, I have been informed of masks thrown away on pavements outside supermarkets; around bus stops; in parks; and on our sea front. Whilst we are all likely to need to wear masks for the foreseeable future, we equally don’t want to see these masks polluting our environment. I would remind residents in Southport to please dispose of your face coverings responsibly and use the bins provided.”

Showcase Cinemas in Liverpool are all set to screen their 1st Christmas film of 2020 in the UK

CHRISTMAS is coming early to the UK this month as Showcase Cinemas is set to bring some much needed seasonal magic to the nation with the Macaulay Culkin cult hit Home Alone. For 1 day only, on Sunday, 25 October 2020, Showcase Cinema de Lux Liverpool will be screening the UK's favourite Christmas blockbuster, giving film fans the chance to start the season of goodwill early and in style. Home Alone 1st hit the big screen in 1990 and stars a young Macaulay Culkin in the lead role, as 8 year old Kevin MacCallister, who is mistakenly left at home alone whilst his mum (Catherine O'Hara), dad and family head out of town on holiday. Kevin has to protect the family home from con men (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who plan on robbing the MacCallister residence.

Commenting on Showcase bringing 2020's 1st Christmas film to it's UK big screens, Mark Barlow, General Manager, Showcase Cinemas UK said:- "This year has been tough on everyone and, with Christmas looking to be very different for 2020, we wanted to invite film fans to start the season earlier than ever before and join us for some much needed festive fun. We're thrilled to be able to show Home Alone as every year it has consistently tops the polls as the nation's favourite Christmas movie. So, we couldn't think of a better film to bring to the big screen in Liverpool."

Alongside enjoying Home Alone on the big screen, moviegoers will be given an extra festive treat with a free bag of chocolate to enjoy during the film, included in the ticket price. Tickets are on sale now for this limited edition screening and are just ₤5. Tickets can be booked via:- ShowcaseCinemas.Co.UK.

New local testing sites opened in Liverpool

A new walk through Coronavirus testing facility is to open for those with symptoms to book appointments, at Walton Hall Park, Walton Hall Avenue, in Liverpool, as part of the Government 's UK wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of Coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing is available only for those with Coronavirus symptoms; a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus or by calling:- 119. From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including:- patients in clinical settings and care home residents, vital health and care staff and to manage outbreaks.

The new site is situated so as to be easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including:- social distancing, not travelling by Taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk through testing site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site will start today, on Friday, 16 October 2020, with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now includes more than 500 sites available across the UK, including 78 drive through sites, 184 walk through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and 5 mega laboratories.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Health Minister, Lord Bethell said:- "We continue to expand testing to make sure that everyone with symptoms can get a test, with our new walk in sites making it even easier no matter where you live. This new site forms part of our national testing network, which has the capacity to test more than a million people a week and is growing all the time. If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others around you and stop the spread of the virus."

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said:- "Our new walk through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test. This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand testing across the UK to deliver 500,000 tests a day by the end of October 2020. Please book a test if you have Coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste. Everybody should continue to think hands, face, space, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted; this is the only way we can return to a more normal way of life."

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Levy and will offer self administered tests.

Animals meet amateur dramatics at Knowsley Safari

KNOWSLEY Safari is giving amateur dramatics the animal treatment with its new:- ‘Safari Guides’ activity sessions for children. The 1 day workshops draw on the strengths and attributes of a safari tour guide to help develop communication skills and inspire self confidence by bringing together learning about nature and drama. Children aged seven to ten years old will be able to find out more about wildlife and conservation, while also perfecting presentation and performance skills.

Nikki Mallott, Head of Learning and Discovery at Knowsley Safari, explains:- “Safari guides are bold, brave and outgoing. They work closely with wildlife and have to be confident enough to be heard amongst large groups of excited children and adults. They also have to be engaging to capture peoples’ imagination and attention. These skills are at the heart of the new workshops which will help children discover more about nature and practice performance skills. Children will be able to build their knowledge and learn how to share information in a really interesting and inspiring way.”

The 1 day workshops run from 9am to 3pm, on Saturday, 24 October and Sunday, 25 October 2020. They take place on Knowsley’s Foot Safari in small groups and follow Government guidance for social distancing. Prices are ₤22.50 per child for members of Knowsley Safari and ₤25 for non-members. To book a place or find out more about the Safari Guides workshops, visit:- KnowsleySafariExperience.Co.UK.