Coronavirus Mobile Test
Sites in both Litherland and Southport over the weekend
THE Coronavirus Mobile Test Sites in Sefton area will be
at Southport Eco Centre and Litherland Sports Park from Saturday, 4 July to
Monday, 6 July 2020. Supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG
and NHS South Sefton CCG, Mobile Test Sites are providing clinical diagnosis
tests to tell people if they currently have the Covid-19 virus. Tests are
available for anyone but they need to have made an appointment 1st
online
or by calling:- 119. Essential workers still need to book through:-
Gov.UK. Key NHS and care workers can now
attend regional testing sites, which now include the new site at Liverpool John
Lennon Airport as well as Haydock and Manchester Airport without the need for an
appointment. Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and
enables key workers who test negative to return to that work. Almost 4,200
people have already been tested so far at Sefton’s Mobile Test Sites, which have
been supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South
Sefton CCG. Through the Government’s NHS Test and Trace service, anyone who
tests positive for Coronavirus will be contacted and will need to share
information about their recent interactions. It is really important you follow
the NHS guidance to stop the spread of Coronavirus in Sefton. Find out more
about the NHS Test and Trace service on the NHS
website.
Visitors urged to follow
the Countryside Code as tourism businesses reopen
WITH thousands of
visitors expected to flock to the countryside this weekend as
tourism businesses in England reopen, the Country Land and
Business Association (CLA) is urging people to follow the
Countryside Code during their visit. The Countryside Code aims
to help everyone respect other people, protect the natural
environment and enjoy the outdoors. It is there to ensure
visitors enjoy the countryside safely by planning ahead of their
visit, maintaining social distancing, keeping dogs away from
livestock, leaving gates as they find them, taking litter home
and avoiding having barbecues in public spaces. The CLA, which
represents 30,000 farmers, landowners and rural businesses
across England and Wales, sees the upcoming holiday period as a
real opportunity for visitors to make the most of the beautiful
countryside.
CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "This weekend we will
see tourism businesses in England begin to re-open, and with
international travel still restricted we expect a large number
of people to head into rural areas for a break. Our message is
clear. People are hugely welcome in the countryside, and we want
to help them to enjoy it safely and responsibly. We believe this
is a fantastic opportunity both for our regular visitors and for
the many 1st timers. We know the countryside can do wonders for
people's mental and physical health, and it can also help them
understand the natural environment, including how food is
produced in Britain."
The CLA has produced an array of graphics which capture some of
the key rules to follow in the countryside. Download them
here.
Schools and colleges to
reopen in full in September
DETAILED plans have
been unveiled for all children and young people to return to
full time education from September 2020. Current restrictions on
group sizes will be lifted to allow:- Schools, Colleges and
Nurseries to fully reopen to all children and young people, as
Covid-19 infection rates continue to fall.
Covid-19 secure measures will remain in place to reduce the risk
of transmission, with Schools being asked to keep children in
class or year group sized 'bubbles' and encourage older children
to keep their distance from each other and staff where possible.
This is alongside protective measures such as regular cleaning
and hand washing.
Where there is a positive case in a School or College, the
Public Health England local health protection team will advise
on the appropriate action, which could include small groups of
young people and staff being asked to self isolate for up to 14
days.
Where there are two or more confirmed cases in a 2 week period,
health protection teams may ask a larger number of other
children or young people to self-isolate at home as a
precautionary measure.
Where an outbreak in a School is confirmed, for specific
detailed investigations a mobile testing unit may be dispatched
to test others who may have been in contact with the person who
has tested positive. Testing will first focus on the person's
class, followed by their year group, then the whole School if
necessary.
All staff, pupils and their families will continue to have
access to testing if they develop Covid-19 symptoms and Schools
will be provided with easy to use home testing kits for children
and staff who would otherwise be unable to get a test.
Schools will be expected to have plans in place to offer remote
education to pupils who are self isolating.
For Nurseries, childminders, and other early years providers,
restrictions on group sizes will be lifted from 20 July 2020,
increasing capacity from the start of the summer holiday.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:- "I know these
past three months have been some of the most challenging that
Schools have faced. What they have achieved to make sure that
young people are kept safe and can continue to learn during this
period is remarkable, and I am incredibly grateful for that.
Nothing can replace being in the classroom, so ever since
Schools, Colleges and Nurseries closed to most children, we have
been working hard to ensure they can reopen as soon as possible.
We have already seen more than 1.5 million children and young
people return, but we must make sure all pupils can go back to
School in September, giving them the opportunity to thrive and
fulfil their potential. I want to reassure parents and families
that we are doing everything we can to make sure Schools,
Nurseries, Colleges and other providers are as safe as possible
for children and staff, and will continue to work closely with
the country's best scientific and medical experts to ensure that
is the case."
The guidance published on 2 July 2020, provides Schools,
Colleges and Nurseries with the details needed to plan for a
full return, as well as reassuring parents about what to expect
for their children. The guidance has been developed in close
consultation with the sector and medical experts from Public
Health England.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jenny Harries, said:-
"Thanks to the hard work of everyone, including our teachers and
all School staff, there has been a decline in the rate of
COVID-19 transmission in our communities. A child's education is
essential to their healthy development; we know that missing too
much School can have a negative impact on children's mental and
physical wellbeing. Everybody wants children to be safe and
thankfully as we have learned more about COVID-19, the evidence
has shown that the risk of severe disease in children is low.
However, although the number of COVID-19 cases has declined, it
is still in general circulation; so it important we ensure
Schools implement sensible precaution to reduce potential
transmission of COVID-19 and minimise any risk to teachers and
their pupils."
Schools will need to work with families to secure full
attendance from the start of the new academic year, with the
reintroduction of mandatory attendance.
To ensure pupils can catch up on lost learning, Schools will be
required to resume teaching a broad and balanced curriculum in
all subjects, making use of existing flexibilities to create
time to address gaps in knowledge. Schools should consider how
all subjects can contribute to filling gaps in core knowledge.
This will help pupils catch up and will work alongside the
financial support provided to primary and Secondary Schools
through the Government's ₤1 billion Covid catch up package. This
is on top of the ₤14 billion that we are investing in Schools
over the next 3 years.
Exams will take place in 2021 and Ofqual is consulting on
arrangements for those exams, including measures to mitigate any
impact on pupils from time out of School.
Alongside this, Ofsted will carry out visits to Schools in the
autumn term to discuss how they are supporting the return to
education for their pupils, with routine inspections planned to
restart in January 2021.
Nurseries and other early years providers, including
childminders, have already been welcoming back children of all
ages since 1 June 2020, with a range of protective measures in
place. From 20 July, restrictions on group sizes for Nurseries,
childminders and other early years providers will be lifted,
increasing capacity for more children to return, as set out in
updated guidance.
The Schools guidance sets out a range of measures to protect
children and staff. This guidance applies to all mainstream
Schools, alternative provision, independent Schools and boarding
Schools and sets out advice on how they can minimise contact and
mixing. Separate guidance has also been published for special
Schools.
Schools should implement class or year sized bubbles, as well as
encouraging staff and pupils, where they are able, to keep their
distance from each other and avoiding touching. All Schools
should work to implement other policies in line with their own
risk assessment and in a way that ensures pupils can be taught a
broad and balanced curriculum. Other measures set out in the
guidance include:-
Teachers to distance from each other and older students where
possible.
► Increasing the frequency of
cleaning.
► Reducing the use of frequently
shared items.
► Minimising contact in corridors.
Click
here to see the full
Guidance that has been issued.
Responding to the Government's plans for
all children and staff to return to School as normal from
September, Cllr Teresa Heritage, Vice Chairman of the Local
Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said:-
"The Government's guidance provides Schools
and Councils with a framework to reopen Schools safely from
September, but they will now need the space and time to work
locally to draw up detailed plans. Councils want all children to
return to School to continue with their education and we also
want to work with the Government, education leaders and Schools
to make sure the national effort is a success. It is therefore
vitally important that the Department for Education provides the
reassurance that parents need to send children back to School,
and remains in dialogue with School leaders to tackle
outstanding issues, such as the provision of home-to-School
transport and sanctions for non-attendance, and work with
Schools and parents to secure full attendance in September.
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have shown that by
working together we can achieve the best outcomes for our
communities. As we look to return to normal, Councils want to
continue working closely with the Government and local partners
to address practical issues and to provide any necessary
resources. Councils can play a key role in the Government's Test
and Trace programme and it is therefore important to give
Councils the powers to manage outbreaks in Schools if new
COVID-19 clusters emerge."
Reaction from Steve
Rotheram to today's Local Government funding announcement
TODAY Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the
Liverpool City Region was 1 of many to give their reactions to
the Local Government funding announcement, given by Robert
Jenrick today on Local Government Finance. In an email to us he
said:- "It's good to see the
Government recognising the vital work of Local Authorities in
responding to COVID-19 and the financial impact this has had.
But, while the extra funding announced today is welcome, it
looks like it is nowhere near enough to cover the actual costs
our area has incurred. We will be able to make a full judgement
when we have the detail, but this appears to be guaranteeing
that Councils will not recover at least a quarter of their lost
revenues. The Government promised it would provide Councils with
'whatever it takes' but if this is supposed to be the
comprehensive funding package which we have been promised, then
it falls far short of what we need. I'm hoping that it is just
another instalment, and if so, the Government needs to make that
clear. Our 6 Local Authorities in the Liverpool City Region have
responded magnificently to the challenge of Coronavirus but they
can't be expected to carry on living "hand to mouth". As we laid
out directly to the Prime Minster in our "Case for the City
Region" report at the end of May, COVID-19 has cost our Local
Authorities ₤341 million in 6 months in extra expenditure and
lost revenue. As yet, we have received no response. We'll also
need to understand the funding formula that the Government has
used. It is vital that allocations are based on the actual level
of need for each Authority, rather than just population numbers,
and that is particularly important for us in the Liverpool City
Region, as we have been hit harder by COVID-19 than many other
areas."
Also responding to the funding package announced today to help
Councils through the COVID-19 crisis, Cllr James Jamieson,
Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:-
"Councils continue to work all day and night to protect the most
vulnerable from COVID-19, support local businesses and try and
keep normal services running. This package offers some positive
measures and recognises the pressures Councils are facing, but
more is desperately needed to fully address the severe financial
challenges facing Councils and our local services as a result.
The Government's commitment to fund a portion of Councils lost
income from fees and charges is a step in the right direction.
However, this does not cover the full losses, nor does it extend
to commercial and other income losses and is likely to still
leave Councils having to absorb a substantial and unforeseen
loss of funding, in particular the loss of local taxes. We
reiterate our call to Government to meet all extra cost
pressures and income losses from fees and charges and other
sources, including commercial activity, in full if Councils are
to avoid having to make tough decisions on in year cuts to
services to meet their legal duty to set a balanced budget this
year. Allowing Councils to spread tax deficits over 3 years will
help but needs to go together with appropriate measures to
manage any cash flow implications. We are pleased with the
commitment to find a solution to the loss of local taxes in the
Spending Review. In order to have the certainty they need to set
budgets for next year, Councils still need urgent clarity on the
irrecoverable losses the Government has positively said it will
pick up. This will need to cover all losses from local taxes.
The further ₤500 million extra funding to help Councils meet
extra COVID-19 costs pressures is helpful but, in the context of
the funding gap Councils still face, substantial additional
funding will be needed and we await further details on how this
money will be distributed. Councils have been completing
detailed monthly returns to the Ministry of Housing, Communities
and Local Government on the financial challenges they face. This
shows the Government is committed to fully understanding the
impact the pandemic and the robust evidence provided by Councils
shows a looming financial crisis that cannot be ignored.
Councils and the LGA want to continue working with Government on
the further measures and funding needed to protect local
services."
Chief Inspector of
Constabulary says:- "43 Forces model needs reform, Police
need secure investment conditions to get ahead of crime and the
UK's Home Office 'hands on' policy is necessary for efficiency"
IN HM Chief Inspector
of Constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor annual assessment of Policing
in England and Wales for 2019, he recognised the sensitivity and
dedication of the Police service in collaboratively responding
to the COVID-19 public health emergency. He encourages Police
Forces to continue to work in collaboration in order to provide
a more effective and efficient service to the public.
On Policing the COVID-19 pandemic, Sir Thomas Winsor said:-
"COVID-19 has tested Police Forces in dealing with the lockdown,
the greatest curtailment of individual freedom this country has
ever known. To its great credit, the service has responded well.
The initial and rare inconsistencies and mistakes over how the
lockdown measures were applied were soon eclipsed by the
commendable sensitivity and proportionality of Officers towards
their fellow citizens, through explanation and encouragement
well before enforcement. Very regrettably, as lockdown
conditions have been relaxed, the Police now face a harder task.
In some cases, they have been faced with resistance and
violence. They have also faced violence when Policing public
demonstrations. Nothing justifies violence. Police Officers are
our fellow citizens, doing the tough work we ask them to do, in
hazardous and demanding conditions, to keep us safe. Hard
enforcement against those who assault Police Officers and other
public service workers should be firm and fast. The national
Police leadership which has intensified because of the pandemic
has been welcome, and that greater degree of co-operation
amongst Police Leaders and Forces must be maintained."
In his assessment Sir Thomas also explores where further reform
is needed in order to meet the current and future demands placed
on the Police service.
On the 43 Force Policing structure in England and Wales, Sir
Thomas said:- "There is an increasingly pressing need to
develop an effective and efficient single system of law
enforcement, with clear local, regional and national components.
There is an important role for the Home Office to play,
particularly in making regional and national functions work more
efficiently and effectively, whilst respecting local conditions
and priorities. The lines on the map that delineate Force
boundaries too often act as barriers to the exchange of
intelligence, to co-operation, and to true effectiveness and
efficiency. The time has come to establish a much higher degree
of single system operation in the 43 Force structure of England
and Wales. This doesn't mean redrawing the map of 43. Single
system operation can be achieved far more efficiently and
effectively, and without legislation, turf wars and wasteful
management introspection. Chief constables and their Police and
crime commissioners can pool their sovereignties, by adopting a
network code based on those used in other safety critical
essential public services. Using a mechanism of qualified
majority voting, with appropriate minority protections and
checks and balances, decisions on Policing Policies and
practices which need to be common, stable, efficient and
effective can be made. There are not 43 best ways of doing the
same thing."
Sir Thomas welcomed the decision to recruit an additional 20,000
Officers over the next 3 years. That is a long term investment
in Policing. He added:- "1 year financial settlements for the
Police are not conducive to the making of sound, longer-term
investments in things such as information and communications
technology. For efficiently run Forces, the Home Office should
consider providing multi year financial settlements. The
recruitment of the extra 20,000 Officers also provides the
Police with an golden opportunity to improve the extent to which
Police Forces reflect the communities they serve."
Sir Thomas said:- "It is also necessary for the Police to
ensure they are and remain sensitive to valid criticisms of
disproportionally in stop and search and the use of Force. Those
special powers given by the community to Police Officers must
always be used on sound lawful grounds, to enhance public safety
and never to alienate local people. Policing in the UK is based
on public consent and support; justified resentment is corrosive
of that essential precious quality."
On Policing Policy, Sir Thomas said the greater hands-on
approach by the Home Office is necessary quickly to create and
enhance the essential conditions for the Police to become more
efficient and effective. He said:- "The best victim of
crime is someone who isn't. Prevention is the first objective of
Policing. It saves lives from being shattered or lost. These are
the lives of victims and their families, and they are the lives
of offenders who could have been diverted from crime, and their
families too. Effective prevention also saves colossal amounts
of the time, energy and financial costs of the Police and the
many other public services concerned with the causes and effects
of crime. It reduces demands on the criminal justice system,
health, social services and education. And it enhances public
confidence, the confidence of people that they are safe from
those who would do harm."
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE latest total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, has risen by 576 cases and the total
number now stand at 283,757, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was sadly reported to be 89 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 43,995.
In England, there are a total of 243,910 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 42,393 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 2,411 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 1,495 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 2,016 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 1,192 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 680 confirmed cases.
► Knowsley, 983 confirmed
cases..
► Blackpool,1,012 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 974 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,785 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 1,261 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,927 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 2,173 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 6,596 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 2,835 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,811 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 1,528 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,613 confirmed cases.
► Salford, 1,297 confirmed
cases.
► Tameside, 1,496 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 1,240 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 2,109 confirmed cases.