WITH the roll out of 17 new semi permanent Local
Testing Sites in the last 6 weeks across Cheshire and
Merseyside, the ability to book and get a local test for
Covid19 in has never been better. Sefton now has four of
these walk through sites, at:- Bootle Town Hall, Crosby
Library Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall.
Open from 8am to 8pm, Walk Through Centres provide easy
access to Covid19 tests for people with Coronavirus symptoms
who do not have access to a car and for those who have
Coronavirus symptoms and should not travel by public
transport. People can book appointments, if they have
symptoms, at:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus or by calling:- 119.
There is also a fleet of nine Mobile Testing Units which are
deployed across Cheshire and Merseyside to help in priority
areas and where there are specific outbreaks. Sefton has had
Mobile Units at various locations on most days since the
start of July 2020. As the Liverpool City Region moved into
Tier 3 restrictions; the prevalence of the virus meant that
more people are experiencing symptoms need to be tested.
More capacity across the national laboratories has also come
on line meaning it is much easier to book an appointment for
a test than ever before.
Testing Director for Cheshire and Merseyside, Terry Whalley
said:- "We now have more facilities and more lab
capacity to enable anyone with symptoms to seek a test. We
have worked extremely hard with partners, including Local
Councils, laboratories and NHS Trusts to ensure that we have
the infrastructure and capacity we need in Cheshire and
Merseyside as we see a second surge of Covid19. It is vital
that people, who have symptoms, get a test and then ensure
they strictly adhere to the self isolation advice if they
prove to be positive. Testing helps identify those who are
carrying the disease and helps to stop the spread of the
virus to others. Our ability to offer more routes to access
testing will help us protect lives and protect livelihoods
by ensuring we are able to do more testing every day."
Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough, a high
temperature, or a loss of or change in their normal sense of
smell or taste, should book a test at:- NHS.UK/Coronavirus
or by calling:- 119 to find out if they currently have
Coronavirus.
Sefton Taxi
Drivers will get access to City Region's Covid19 Fund
THE Leader of Sefton Council,
Cllr Ian Maher, has joined The Metro Mayor, City Mayor and other Liverpool City
Region Council leaders to announce ₤1.5m Covid19 Fund for Local Authorities to
support Taxi Drivers. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is to provide a
fund of up to ₤1.5 million to the 6 Local Authorities in the City Region,
including Sefton, to enable them to give grants to hard pressed Taxi Drivers.
The funding will be allocated proportionately to each Local Authority, according
to the number of licensed Taxi Drivers in their area. The Fund will enable all
of the City Region's Local Authorities to introduce and administer schemes that
benefit local Taxi Drivers in addition to what is available to them through
national support schemes. Cllr Maher, said:- "I recognize that the last
few months have been exceptionally difficult for Sefton Taxi Drivers, and I hope
that this new fund will go some way to easing the financial pressure Taxi
Drivers are facing. In addition to this fund, the Sefton Council website has
lots of information and advice about what other funding and financial support
may be available for Taxi Drivers, and other self employed business owners in
Sefton. For example, the Self Employment Support Scheme will allow you to claim
a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of ₤2,500 per
month for three months, although may be extended if needed. You can apply if
you're a self employed individual or a member of a partnership. I know that Taxi
Drivers who have fallen on hard times recently, like many of our residents who
need help during this crisis, are being supported by their family, friends or
neighbours. But for anyone who doesn't have that support network in place, I
want to make sure you know Sefton Council and our partners at Sefton CVS are
here to help. Have a look on our website or call us on:- 0345 140 0845. The team
will ask you a few questions and your information will be shared with Sefton CVS
(Community Volunteer Service) who are co-ordinating the support in the
community. The details of how the funding will be issued to Taxi Drivers are
currently being finalized and further information will be available shortly on
the Sefton Council website soon. It is expected that payments will be made
before Christmas."
In a joint statement with the other City Region leaders, Cllr Maher said:-
"We recognize the hardship experienced by our area's Taxi Drivers, who have seen
their trade seriously affected by the Coronavirus restrictions. We know this
fund can only make a small contribution but wanted to make this available as a
gesture of support for a sector that has been hit hard without adequate support.
As leaders and mayors, we are continuing to press the Government for financial
support packages work for everyone who has seen their livelihood affected by
Covid19 restrictions."
Southport Pleasureland hopes to still run Halloween and Christmas events
SOUTHPORT Pleasureland plans to
run its biggest and best yet 'Day of the Dead' spectacular this November, and
launch its Winter Wonderland North, in December 2020.
Day of the Dead is an increasingly popular high-octane after dark annual:-
'celebration of life' featuring:- colourful samba drummers, fire
spinners, fire eaters, stilt walkers, music with a live DJ, the park's rides
fully illuminated and running, and a dramatic fireworks finale. The whole family
Mexican celebration, which will see the park festooned with bright and beautiful
sugar skulls, on Saturday, 14 November 2020 and will include outdoor food
concessions and entertainments with proven Covid 19 safety measures in place.
Gates open at 5pm. Tickets for non-riders are £9.99 and include all the
entertainments and fireworks and the 'rider' ticket price of £24.50 and includes
unlimited rides .
There is no more exuberant and colourful celebration of simply being alive than
South America's Day of the Dead extravaganza. and this will be Pleasureland's
third.
The Day of the Dead, or el Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday dedicated to
family. So it is fitting that the North West family focused attraction has
chosen this most vibrant entertainment to light up the evening
The family spectacular has proven so popular with adults and children that each
year it has grown to include new and even more exotic and entertaining elements.
With illuminated rides running and music pulsing the celebration is defined by
explosions of colour and zest for life and the firework display makes sure the
sky is the limit for this memorable evening.
The park will be transformed into a theatre of light and music against a
fabulous fiesta atmosphere. It's not every evening that you and your family are
treated to the spectacle of a pair of skeletons dualling with flaming swords or
dancing with fire, so keep your eyes peeled for something more than a little out
of the ordinary.
The Katumba drum band is Liverpool's own. A fierce fusion of UK big beat,
Caribbean calypso and the carnivals of Northeast Brazil - Katumba creates an
explosion of rhythmic revelry that you can't help but dance to. Its colossal
carnival sound fills the air and is complimented by spectacular dance
choreography. The band has performed at some of the world's biggest events
including Africa Oyé, Brazilica, Amsterdam Carnival and Recife Carnival, Brazil.
To ensure effective social distancing measures this year's event will feature
acts on a purpose-built stage with a one-way system for visitors to enter and
leave the show area. But that's not all Pleasureland has in store for visitors
to the park as we bid 2020 a final farewell. Park CEO Norman Wallis says:-
"Day of the Dead has become a real hit, but we didn't want to leave it at
that, so we are staging Winter Wonderland North. We have been considering and
planning a Winter Wonderland North event for some time. We have been open with
full Coronavirus safety measures in place for many months. We know what we're
doing, what works and how to make sure people understand the part they have to
play in keeping everyone safe. Those who've visited the park will know that we
take great care over the grounds and landscaping. We've planted many Christmas
trees and they, along with our exiting established trees will be decorated with
beautiful Christmas lights. All of the rides and buildings will be shimmering as
the park pulls on its Winter Wow from its 1st weekend, starting Saturday, 28
November 2020 and Sunday, 29 November 2020. Winter Wonderland will then be open
every weekend in December until it opens daily (with the exception of Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day) until 3 January 2021. Father Christmas; and the park is
hoping to coax his reindeer to join him; will be in his Covid-Safe grotto
residence, a new indoor ride around Santa's workshop is under construction and a
German style Christmas Market offers Christmas treats and festive food and
drink; so there will be plenty to see and do."
More details about the what's on at Pleasureland is posted on the park's
website.
This year social distancing measures will be observed, but fun levels will be
kept high..