YOU can get daily major and interesting news updates for the Liverpool City Region on our free email news service, via signing up on:- Formby Reporter. If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:-News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Are you able to speak Polish and English?

THE current situation during the Covid19 Pandemic has showed a gap in the provision of services to the local Polish Community, especially those who do not speak English, making them even more vulnerable. Merseyside Polonia managed to raise funds from the National Lottery to create a new role, a:- 'Help Link Officer.' The Help Link Officer will offer support to the Polish Community throughout the Liverpool City Region, especially to those unable to communicate in English, to have a point of contact when they encounter difficulties and need help. This role will respond to the needs of local Poles and focus on the following tasks:-

► Preparing and promoting accessible and easy to understand information on the website and social media on:- housing or work problems, healthcare, finance, budgeting, etc.

► Virtual and personal (where appropriate) support for people who are in a difficult situation and may need extra help.

► Working with local services to provide more up to date information and support.

If you are interested in applying for this role please go to the Merseyside Polonia's website.

France closes its borders to non-EU citizens

TODAY, France has said it is now closing borders to non-EU citizens in bid to curb Covid19 spread, following warnings of a "great risk" from the new variants, like the more contagious British variant. This move comes as the French Government has just announced that the country has now reported more than 75,000 deaths; making it the 7th highest in the world; and that the French health system has been under serious pressure for months. We are also informed that the Czech Republic is also banning foreigners from entering the country for non-essential reasons in an effort to contain the Pandemic. Current information is that the French closure will have a few exceptions, that will include those who work or study in the country. Trips to the country to visit relatives and nursing homes, receive medical care and attend weddings and funerals are also allowed for now. But it is worth noting that in the UK all non-essential travel is banned, including travel abroad and in the UK, so this shouldn't affect many people, but please let us know if this affects you?

Government's multimillion pound support scheme for airports opens today

AIRPORTS across England are set to receive a boost as the Government's financial support scheme opens for applications, from Friday, 29 January 2021. Commercial airports and ground handlers will be eligible for up to ₤8m each, to support with fixed costs while travel restrictions remain in place. The financial relief will help airports and ground handlers to cover losses on costs including airfield operations, contracted services such as:- airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills.

The investment will help airports and ground handlers, following the introduction of international travel restrictions designed to protect public health and prevent the spread of Covid19. Recognising the crucial role the sector plays and its contribution to the UK economy, the scheme will support the aviation industry while the Government continues to roll out its vaccination programme.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:- "A thriving aviation industry has been central to the success of this country and while we recognise the testing conditions airports are currently facing as a result of the pandemic, I believe that the sector will be ready to bounce back once restrictions are lifted. Today's scheme is another step in the right direction, providing vital support for an industry that is raring to get back to business, once it is safe to do so."

Aviation Minister, Robert Courts said:- "The aviation sector plays a crucial role in our economy, contributing ₤22 billion directly to the UK economy and supporting around half a million jobs. We are well aware of the challenges facing the industry, however this scheme will give airports and ground handlers in England a boost, helping them continue to prepare for a future when international travel is ready to take off again."

Airports and ground handlers will be able to apply to the scheme on GOV.UK and if successful, should receive their funding by the end of the financial year. The financial support scheme, which follows the Government's extension of the Job Retention Scheme, is open for applications until the 21 February 2021.

The Government has also provided flexibility to airlines to support them during this difficult time; extending the waiver of the "80:20" slot usage rule in time for the summer scheduling season. This removes the requirement for airlines to operate flights at least 80% of the time to retain their slots, to reflect the current low demand for air travel.

This not only helps airlines' finances but reduces the environmental impact of:- "ghost flights" while ensuring that the slots allocation system works in the interests of air passengers. The Government acknowledges the severe impact that the Covid19 Pandemic has had on the travel sector as a whole and continues to provide support while international travel is paused. National restrictions for England, introduced, on 6 January 2021, continue to remain in place, meaning that everyone must stay at home unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons.

UK Government is bolstering Police Forces

TODAY we have been told that both Boris Johnson and Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Gove is shocked at the latest twist over the EU's row with vaccine maker UK based AstraZenec. This twist could mean the UK is about to learn the consequences of being an EU 3rd country and not part of the EU. A 3rd country is generally understood to be any country not in the European Union and following the UK's Withdrawal Agreement, we have now become just that. This bitter wrangle between AstraZeneca and the EU over delayed supplies to the 27 members of the EU bloc has now lead to Britain's Covid vaccine supply being put in jeopardy. Not only could this move now potentially stop the unimpeded flow of jabs into the UK, as the European Union threatened to block Pfizer vaccine exports this week, but it could also threaten the Belfast/Good Friday agreement! This is down to the fact Brussels, on Friday, 29 January 2021, has reportedly triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which forms part of the Brexit withdrawal deal. This will mean a "hard border" will now be in place between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic over the vaccine supply chain. Amid the row, the situation potentially means things will only get worse from now on. We also have been told that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told AstraZenca's CEO Pascal Soriot she expects the company to deliver on its contractual arrangements..

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 29,079 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,772,813 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:-1,245 within 28 days of positive test, 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:- 104,371, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 103,602.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 35,375. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,918 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 2,903

In England, there are a total of:- 3,301,106 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 518,497 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 City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 43,006 confirmed cases.
282

► Halton, 10,496 confirmed cases.
72

► Knowsley, 15,377 confirmed cases. 121

► Sefton, 20,882 confirmed cases.
151

► St. Helens, 14,307 confirmed cases.
126

► Wirral, 21,660 confirmed cases.

168

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

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

► Blackpool, 7,961 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 21,373 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 14,687 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 17,611 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 18,450 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 83,470 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 45,216 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 19,838 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 11,309 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 18,031 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 19,494 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 17,171 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 15,121 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 14,189 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 15,391 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 24,646 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

7,891,184 478,254

Jab Stats correct as of 28 January 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

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.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.7 to 1.1, with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -5% to 0%, as of 29 January 2021..

Previous 24hr Data

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