What you can and cannot do during the 3rd National Lockdown

YOU must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.  Currently, you must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:-

►  Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.

►  Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.

►  Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or 1 other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

►  Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form 1.

►  Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

►  Attend education or childcare - for those eligible

►  Colleges, Primary and Secondary Schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February Half Term. Early Years settings remain open.

►  Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

►  If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the Village, Town, or part of the City where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

►  If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work.

To read the latest Guidance, as of 4 January 2020, please click here now.
 

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Statement on PM announcement, from Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region

THE Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:- "Given the very rapid rise of infections in the Liverpool City Region and across the country, I have been calling for tighter restrictions to help slow the spread of the virus and save lives while we wait for vaccines to fully roll out. We are now at a critical moment. We are yet to see the full effects of the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas and, over the past few weeks, we’ve seen just how quickly the new variant of the virus can spread and multiply. Considering all of this, an effective national lockdown is now the right thing to do. Unlike last March, we now have a clear end point in sight, when the vaccination programme is fully up and running. The Government must provide the resource needed to speed up the roll out of the vaccine as quickly as possible. It is also vital that businesses, councils and individuals are given the financial support they need to manage during this period. Every day of lost Schooling impacts on our children and the impact is most hard on the poorest and most vulnerable. With schools closing, there should be an urgent scheme to ensure that all children have the equipment and internet access they need to continue learning and stop them falling even further behind."
 

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North West Ambulance Service demand remained high over the festive period

DESPITE strict Coronavirus restrictions being felt by the majority of the Region the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) still had to respond to a high level of demand this festive season. The week between Christmas and New Year is traditionally 1 of the busiest times of year for the trust, and this year was no exception, albeit slightly less than the previous year. On New Year's Day alone the trust received nearly 5,000 999 calls, which was around 350 calls fewer (6˝ %) than in 2019, while on Christmas Day 2020 and New Year's Eve 2020, levels were only slightly reduced.

Director of Operations, Ged Blezard said:- "As always, we were well prepared for the spike in calls over the whole festive period with months of planning and additional resources available. The reduction in New Year's Day calls undoubtedly was down to the restrictions placed over the region which prevented the usual alcohol related incidents in Town and City Centres. However the number of:- 999 calls we received on New Year's Day still represents a high level of demand and Coronavirus itself continues to add its own complications” However we have continued to meet the challenges to provide a safe service not only across our:- 999 emergency service, but also our 111 and Patient Transport Services, thanks to the skill and effort of all the NWAS staff that worked over the festive period. Alongside our dedicated workforce, we are also very grateful for the support from our Community 1st Responders and other volunteers at this time. Many have been helping to man a specialist fleet of welfare vehicles during busy shifts, supplying drinks, snacks and wellbeing advice to staff as they convey patients to Hospitals across the region. The fact that they are volunteers and give their time freely makes their contribution even more commendable. I would like to thank everyone for their support during this busy time and using the service appropriately. We must prioritise life threatening emergencies which can mean that patients in a less serious condition do experience a wait. We have been able to reduce wait times as much as possible by managing calls through our clinical hub providing medical advice over the phone and treating patients in the community wherever possible, reducing unnecessary Emergency Department admissions. As we head into January and February and the cold winter continues, we are expecting the high demand to continue and ask for the public to continue to help us by only calling:- 999 in life threatening emergencies."

People can take advice from a Pharmacist for common health worries, book an appointment with their GP for health issues which will not go away, visit an urgent Treatment Centre for minor illnesses and injuries or use NHS 111 online for health advice. Before attending an Emergency Department in person, please don't forget to call:- 111 1st, they will ensure patients are appropriately directed to the right care, and if a visit to Hospital is required, they will make an appointment slot for them. This statistic includes:- 999 calls, duplicate calls, incidents at events where NWAS is the medical provider and 111 pass through.

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Fire service warns of the dangers of smoking following fatal fire in Knowsley

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is warning of the dangers of smoking in the home following the tragic death of a man in a fire in Whiston at the weekend.  The fire occurred in a flat, located on Cook Street, on the afternoon of Sunday, 3 January 2021. Crews were alerted at 2.09pm and on scene at 2.13pm, arriving within 4 minutes. Firefighters located a man in the lounge of the flat and carried him outside where they performed CPR. Sadly, the 54 year old died in Hospital overnight. A joint investigation between MFRS and Merseyside Police has been carried out and determined the fire started in the lounge area of the flat. Initial investigations indicate the fire was accidental and caused by smoker's materials. No 1 else was injured in the incident. Firefighters and prevention staff from MFRS will visit properties in the community around Cook Street later this week to reassure residents, leafleting properties and offering vital fire safety advice on the doorstep.

Mark Thomas, Group Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said:- "Despite the response and efforts of our firefighters, this fire has sadly resulted in the death of a 54 year old man. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man following his tragic accident. On initial investigation it appears that the incident was the result of an accidental fire caused by smoker's materials. Smoking remains the biggest killer in accidental fires in the home nationally. This tragic incident shows the very real dangers smoking poses and we would urge those who do smoke to do so safely. Never smoke in bed and take extra care when you're tired; it's very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and it could easily set furniture alight. Please do not smoke when under the influence of alcohol or drugs and remember, make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished; put it out, right out. The most important thing that anyone can do to keep themselves safe from fire is to have working smoke alarms and we would urge residents across Merseyside to take time out of their day to check theirs are working. You should have at least 1 smoke alarm on each level of the home; ensure they are tested regularly."

The deceased's next of kin have been informed by Merseyside Police and Firefighters will be talking with neighbours and the local community to offer reassurance and advice regarding fire safety in the home. These simple steps can help prevent cigarette and e-cigarette fires in the home:-

►  Never smoke in bed. Take care when you're tired; it's very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and it could easily set furniture alight.

►  Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.

►  Put it Out, Right Out! Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.

►  Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended; they can easily overbalance as they burn down.

►  Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can't tip over easily and is made of a material that won't burn. Never use a wastepaper basket to dispose of a cigarette butt.

►  Keep matches out of children's reach.

►  Never leave e-cigarettes on charge unattended for long periods of time.

►  Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes.

►  Only use the charger supplied with your device.

►  Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette and charger from a reputable source and check the e-cigarette carries CE certification.

►  Fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it weekly. Working smoke alarms can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call:- 999.

►  Consider installing additional smoke alarms in rooms with electrical appliances or sleeping areas.

For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your home, please call:- 08007315958.