Public urged to
take extra care when high streets reopen
THE public are being urged to take extra
care when visiting High Streets and Town Centres to avoid a
second spike in Coronavirus infection, as Councils prepare for
the easing of lockdown restrictions. Around the County Councils
are putting in place measures to make high streets clean, safe
and secure, but are asking the public to play their part by
respecting social distancing measures. It comes as non-essential
shops and businesses will be able to re-open their doors on
Monday, 15 June 2020. The District Councils' Network, which
represents Councils planning the safe reopening of Town Centres,
wants the public to be reassured that safety measures will be in
place for them to follow. The Government recently announced ₤20
million for district Councils to lead the local effort to
safeguarding high streets following the pandemic, and Councils
are urging the public to follow safety guidance.
To make visits to Town Centres and high streets safe, Councils
are:-
► Helping marshal movements with floor
markings and signage.
► Carrying out more frequent street cleaning, providing
hand sanitiser posts, adapting public seating and conveniences.
► Creating more pedestrianised spaces and streets.
► Adapting indoor and outdoor market spaces to allow
traders trading safely.
► Deploying Council staff or volunteers to provide help
and advice.
Looking ahead Councils are also putting in place plans to invest
in the revitalisation of Town Centres of the future, including
reshaping a mixed offer of retail, culture, entertainment and
housing. As local leaders of their places and economies,
Councils are calling on the Government to bring forward
investments set out in the Towns Funding and Future High Streets
Fund. The plans form part of DCN's new report Power in Place
which outlines district Councils' 5 point manifesto for the
recovery.
Cllr Mark Crane, DCN lead member for stronger economies, said:--
"As the country begins to ease
lockdown restrictions, it is absolutely essential that we all
continue to exercise maximum care and caution, so as to prevent
a second spike in infection. District Councils, as the
authorities responsible for high streets and Town Centres, will
be doing all they can to make public spaces as safe and secure
as possible. We will be delighted to see visitors return to our
high streets, which we're working hard to reshape so that shops
and businesses get the boost they desperately need, but without
compromising public health. But we need members of the public to
respect these efforts, and take extra care when visiting their
local high streets and Town Centres during this challenging
period."
Expert
reaction the University of Birmingham's Sarah Montano on the
impact of non-essential shops opening
BIRMINGHAM
University's Sarah Montano has told us that:-
"The impact of COVID-19 on UK retail
activity has been virtually unprecedented, with a record 18.1%
fall in retail sales, in April 2020, which followed a fall of
5.2% in March 2020. The impact of this fall in sales can be
particularly seen by the drop in clothing sales in April 2020 by
50.2%, against March 2020. However, it was recently announced
that non-essential shops in England can open from 15th June.
Retailers are making preparations for the return of their
operations with Primark planning to open all of its 153 stores.
Whilst consumers have been in lockdown however, they have still
been engaged in retail activity. Online sales reached record
propositions with 30.7% of sales taking place online compared to
19.1% in April 2019. Indeed, various retailers have positioned
their online stores as their "Virtual Flagship Store" offering
the same service levels and product range that could be found in
the traditional high-street store. The challenge for the
high-street, will be to encourage customers to return when they
have become used to the convenience of shopping online. Whilst,
retailers may be keen to open, to bring in some much awaited
income, shopping is unlikely to return to the pre-COVID days and
the in store experience will look quite different. There are a
number of reasons for this:-
1. Social distancing regulations will limit the number of
customers in store and floor markings will indicate the social
distancing rules.
2. There may be less product availability due to items being
placed under quarantine. Waterstones plans to put its books
under a 72 hour quarantine after customers have picked up a book
in order to protect customers from the spread of the virus.
3. Protecting health of retail employees will be of critical
importance and so screens may be in place around the till area
and employees may wear PPE."
.Beach
safety funding needed to prevent chaotic scenes
PEOPLE
are being urged to put safety before any sun this weekend to
avoid putting themselves and others at risk when they visit
popular beach destinations. The Local Government
Association is calling for Government to set out clear guidance
for the public about visiting beaches and for fast track
Government funding to help fund beach patrols, additional
toilets and prominent signage, to improve safety at beach beauty
spots.
The LGA, which represents
Councils in England and Wales, is strongly advising people to
think carefully before travelling to beaches and to get in the
habit of checking they are open and safe to visit, before any
potential local COVID-19 lockdowns. The "rush to the sun"
following easing of lockdown restrictions has become a serious
challenge for Councils responsible for beach safety,
particularly as many lifeguard services have been withdrawn.
In Dorset, huge numbers of
people recently flocked to Durdle Door, with 3 thrill seekers
left seriously injured after jumping from the 200ft Durdle Door
arch. Despite a critical incident being declared at the site by
emergency services due to the number of injuries, thousands
flocked to the area again the next day; ignoring road closures
put in place. It follows tragedies in Cornwall, where a teenage
girl whose boat capsized and a man who was rescued from the sea,
both died. As well as the life threatening risks to life of
tombstoning; jumping into water from height; and swimming in
dangerous seas with no lifeguard patrols, the lack of open
public toilets, illegal parking and increased litter poses a
serious risk to public safety at many beach locations.
The LGA is urging people to
check advice on local Council websites before they travel to
check whether the beach is open and lifeguard provision is at
normal levels. Where normal lifeguard provision is absent,
visitors are advised not to enter the water and to read safety
information provided locally. People must also not ignore beach
closures or try and use dangerous alternate routes to a beach.
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger
Communities Board, said:- "Councils
have serious concerns following the senseless behaviour and
chaotic scenes we have witnessed at beaches and beauty spots
around the country in recent weeks. The tragic events we
have seen should serve as a warning that there is a genuine risk
to life if people don't take care and follow safety guidelines.
They are there for a reason and we would strongly urge people to
pay attention and follow these. We fully understand people's
frustration with the recent restrictions and their desire to
escape and enjoy any warm weather by going to the beach, but
this must not be to the detriment of people's safety. We also
urgently need Government funding to help Councils introduce
measures to improve safety, in particular at a time when there
are fewer lifeguards at beaches and coastal spots. Our message
to the public is think carefully about making any trip to the
beach or coast, and if you are, to check advice on Council
websites before travelling, to make sure beaches are open and
safe to visit. Lives could depend on it."
Merseyrail
reminds passengers that they must wear a face covering on their
network from Monday, 15 June 2020
FOLLOWING the
announcement by the Government that all public transport
passengers in England must wear a face covering whilst
travelling, Merseyrail is reminding passengers that face
coverings must be worn whilst on their network, from Monday, 15
June 2020. Merseyrail will be engaging with passengers next week
to ensure that they are aware of the changes which have been
brought in to ensure that those making necessary journeys, can
do so with confidence in situations where social distancing may
not always be possible. In line with Government guidance, some
passengers who have medical conditions or disabilities that
prevent them from wearing a face covering will be able to travel
without needing to wear 1. Merseyrail is also reminding
passengers that the Government guidance remains to work from
home if they can and to avoid making any unnecessary journeys.
Andy Heath Managing
Director of Merseyrail said:- "As the Government announced
last week, from Monday, 15 June 2020, passengers on our network
must wear face coverings. Wearing face coverings at our Stations
and on our trains will help to ensure that those who need to use
them can do so with confidence. The use of face coverings will
boost the other measures we have put in place to keep our
customers and staff safe, including enhanced cleaning regimes,
clear guidance, and marshals at busier Stations. We will be
actively engaging with our passengers as they travel around the
network next week, to ensure they are aware of the new rules and
that they are following them. I would ask the people of the
Liverpool City Region to continue to support us, as they have
throughout this pandemic, by only travelling by train where
necessary and wearing a face covering when they do."
For more information and
advice please visit:-
Merseyrail.Org.
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections
that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by
1,514 cases and the total number now stand at
295,889, 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
36 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
41,698.
In England, there are a total of 157,074 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 26,692 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,661 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 965 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,339 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 760 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 411 confirmed cases.
► Blackpool, 675 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 419 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,044 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 800 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,201 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,299 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,784 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,671 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,135 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 856 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,068 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 824 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 861 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,230 confirmed cases.
Last update, Saturday, 13 June
2020, at 4:54pm. UK
total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2"
testing (tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore
does not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which
only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by
NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).. UK total includes
cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests
carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does not
equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS /
PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).
Sorry "No UK Government Coronavirus
Press Conference" on 14 June 2020
No video today sorry.