Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Alcohol product sales rise by more than a ⅓ during lockdown

TAKEAWAY alcohol product sales have risen by 36% during lockdown, due to an increase in consumption and a wider availability of products, new research shows.

The study, compiled by City Pantry and Just Eat, looks at how the nation�s takeaway habits have changed over lockdown, to reveal whether we�re eating healthier, drinking or eating more, and when in the week we�re most likely to indulge in a takeaway.

Northern Ireland saw the biggest sales increase with orders up 9.3%, followed by the East of England with 7.7% and the East Midlands at 6.4%. The West Midlands (3.5%) and the North West (3.8%) saw the lowest rise.

While this increase could be attributed to a rise in at-home consumption due to Brits being unable to visit the pub, it�s also likely due to more providers adding alcohol products to their takeaway menus than before the pandemic.

This has been instrumental in allowing dine-in restaurants to pivot their services to maintain revenue while restrictions were in place, with all regions partaking in remotely purchasing alcohol products.

Increase in alcohol consumption by region.

Region	Increase in alcohol product sales	Cuisine	% increase during lockdown
East of England	6.4%	Scotland	4%
East Midlands	4.2%	South East	5.5%
London	4.6%	South West	4.9%
North East	3.8%	Northern Ireland	9.3%
North West	3.5%	Wales	6.4%
West Midlands	3.5%	Overall	36%

As well as ordering more alcohol products, the data shows that some regions have grown progressively more adventurous with their meal choices. Brunch orders have seen the biggest maximum rise overall with orders jumping by 182% in Northern Ireland, while Scotland has seen orders of Greek food; such as moussaka, baklava and gyros; has rise by 167%. Vegan and vegetarian orders are also on the rise, with plant based takeaways rising by almost a third (29%). Not every part of the UK is onboard with the veggie options, however, as they've dipped by 10% in the Midlands and 7% in Scotland compared to before lockdown.

Tom Squire, Financial Director at City Pantry, comments:- "As businesses and individuals continue to adapt to the �new normal' and practice social distancing, it's likely we will see further growth in delivered in meals. As such, it's important that we in the hospitality industry continue to work together to find solutions that are COVID-safe and adapt to meet the evolving needs of consumers. We've already seen hospitality businesses adapt and create new offerings during lockdown - from creating recipe boxes of their best selling dishes to hampers that include treats and alcohol, all available for delivery to people's homes. Convenience and variety have played a big role in this increased demand, with busy remote workers not able to spend sufficient time preparing all their meals from scratch every day.�

And increased alcohol sales isn't the only habit that has increased during lockdown; dessert orders have risen by a massive 151% in Wales and 141% in the East of England, while the average takeaway order value is now 10% higher than before lockdown.

To find out more about the North / South divide when it comes to takeaways, please visit:- Blog.CityPantry.Com.

Privacy organisations unite in warning the Government of the dire public health consequence of ignoring test and trace

PRIVACY organisations have demanded that the UK Government clarify how people's private data will be kept safe and secure under the new Test and Trace regulations, which come into full force with the launch of the NHSX App. Pubs, cafes, restaurants and even workplace canteens are legally required to refuse entry to anyone who declines to use the NHSX App or provide accurate personal details. Privacy organisations the Open Rights Group (ORG) and Big Brother Watch have jointly instructed data rights agency AWO to send a legal letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care demanding the Government provide information on how Citizens' data will be kept safe and secure.

The Government has so far failed to provide a public Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) or explain how pubs and bars are to legally and securely collect and store the personal details of their customers. Customers must use the NHSX App, or businesses must collect their details, in order to comply with the new law. As a result, it appears likely that customer information may not be handled safely, legally or competently. Ad hoc collection has already come under criticism for being abused for unlawful advertising purposes and even harassing customers.

The letter also asks whether Government have conducted a DPIA for the Test and Trace programme as a whole. Back in July the Government admitted that the Test and Trace programme has been operating unlawfully from the beginning due to its failure to produce a legally required data safety assessment.

Jim Killock Executive Director of Open Rights Group said:- �Government's 1st duty is to protect its Citizens. This Government's reckless behaviour is once again endangering public health. We have long argued that the Government's test and trace programme must be trusted by the public in order to effectively protect us from COVID-19. This Government's failure to conduct the legally required data safety assessment means that no one knows how people's details will be safely and legally collected, stored and protected by bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. No one knows what will happen if things goes wrong and this Government doesn't seem to have thought this through. This Government has had 6 months to fix the test and trace programme and on the eve of the launch of this App one thing is for certain; this Government is flying by the seat of its pants.�

Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch said:- "This law could easily lead to the mass recording of our movements and there is a serious question as to whether this is safe and lawful. The Government's new approach to contact tracing is no longer based on public trust, but on exclusion, criminal sanctions and Police enforcement. Many people will be rightly shocked to find they're refused entry to coffee shops and restaurants unless they use the NHSX App or hand over their personal contact details. Businesses won't be able to comply with this draconian new diktat as well as data protection law and many will be fearing sanctions. This is an excessive law that poses a serious risk to privacy and data rights."

Ravi Naik, Legal Director at data rights agency AWO instructed to act on behalf of Open Rights Group and Big Brother Watch said:- "The Regulations come into full force without sufficient clarity as to how they will be implemented. Our clients have therefore had to ask questions to the Secretary of State as to how the regulations will be implemented, the relationship between those providing the data and the wider tracing system and basic questions about how data will be collected and stored. That they have had to ask such questions is concerning when criminal sanctions are at stake."

Merseyside Police issue statement about the music event, at Isla Gladstone, Anfield, that took place on Friday 25 September 2020

MERSEYSIDE Police Superintendent Chris Gibson said:- �Although this was an approved and organised event, Police action was required when it became clear that current Covid restrictions were being breached, as well as the health and safety risk assessment at the premises. This footage on our Twitter account shows the complete lack of social distancing, with large groups mixing in close proximity, people dancing on tables and very few of those in attendance sitting down. The event was brought to a close a short time later, people dispersed, and our enquiries continue. As we continue to emphasise, Merseyside and other areas of the north west remain at serious risk, and we cannot carry on as normal, mixing with large crowds. The health implications for this and other gatherings could be catastrophic for the most vulnerable people in our communities. We continue to have additional policing resources in place across Merseyside this weekend and, as they have been since the start of the pandemic, our officers will engage with the public, encourage people to adhere to the new restrictions, explain why it is so important and where necessary we will take enforcement action. It's vital we deter the spread and reduce our increasing rate of infections. These restrictions are frustrating for all of us, but this is the only way to move back to normality as soon as we can."

If you have information on criminality, anti-social behaviour or events and gatherings, you can contact us on:- 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111.

WATCH | CCTV released and Supt Chris Gibson speaks following event in #Anfield on Friday, and explains why we took action: "Police action was required as current Covid restrictions were being breached." Read more here: https://t.co/WtOCltJXjg pic.twitter.com/k8SBu6nP3g
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) September 27, 2020

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 5,693 cases and the total number now stand at 434,969, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 17 according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is 41,988.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 1,727. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 262. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 266.

In England, there are a total of 373,719 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 79,417 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:-

Risen by:-

► Liverpool, 5,561 confirmed cases.

203

► Halton, 1,319 confirmed cases.

► Knowsley, 1,899 confirmed cases.

► Sefton, 2,644 confirmed cases.

► St. Helens, 2,026 confirmed cases

► Wirral, 3,602 confirmed cases.

Colour Key:-

1 to 10

11 to 20

21 to 30

31 to 40

41 to 50

51 to100

100 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 2,610 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 1,346 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 4,570 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 2,510 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 2,852 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,605 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 11,859 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 6,907 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 4,079 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 2,109 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 3,225 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 2,919 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 2,618 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 2,905 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 2,253 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 2,301 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 3,326 confirmed cases.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of COVID19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected COVID19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

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