DAILY EMERGENCY COVID-19 NEWS
... Important Daily Notices ...

AS This page is to place quick update important notices that are being sent to us from Government and other organisations over the Coronavirus Emergency affecting our country (UK)...   Please remember that the information changes quickly, so always check to see what time and when the last post was made.  We will update as and when we can....  Users of our Formby Reporter's Free Email Service will get most updates 1st and then they will be added on here as soon as we can...

The oldest being shown below with newsiest notices above.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to UN Secretary-General António Guterres

THE Prime Minister spoke to UN Secretary General António Guterres this evening to discuss international efforts to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. They agreed on the need for a global response to this global challenge, and for countries to coordinate in order to stop the spread of the virus and limit the economic impact on our citizens. They underlined the importance of continued funding for the development of a vaccine and to support the resilience of healthcare systems in developing countries. The Prime Minister said that the UK had already committed ₤241 million to the international response and would continue to look at what further support was necessary.

20/03/2020

Metro Mayor unveils 1st package of measures to help Liverpool City Region deal with Coronavirus

THE Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, on 20 March 2020, unveiled an initial package of measures from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority aimed at easing the Coronavirus burden on local people.

Chairing the 1st meeting of the Liverpool City Region Coronavirus Action Group, the Mayor announced a number of new initiatives:-

The 'LCR Cares' COVID 19 Community Support Fund; a new crowd funding campaign to support community and voluntary organisations on the frontline of helping our communities cope with the spread of Coronavirus.

Free bus travel to and from School for the children of key workers using existing Merseytravel funded supported bus services.

Lifting the 9.30am restriction on concessionary travel for essential journeys, such as accessing designated shopping hours reserved for the elderly.

A fund of ₤65,000 of business support for community and social businesses to help them cope with the impact of COVID-19.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "Tackling a challenge of this scale requires everybody to come together and do all that we can to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, and mitigate the economic, social and health impacts it will have. This obviously requires support from Government; and we've seen the start of that this week, though we await further announcements; but there are things we can do locally as well. I want to do all that I can to help support local people, businesses and community organisations through this uncertainty."

Mayor Rotheram was speaking as he chaired a special City Region COVID-19 action group meeting.

The group brings together representatives from the Local Resilience Forum, Local Council leaders, the emergency services, Public Health England, local MPs from all political parties and other key local organisations.

Praising the work of emergency services, the NHS, Local Councils, and everyone keeping transport, the grocery sector and Pharmacies open, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region added:- "We are lucky to have so many brilliant frontline staff working flat out to combat COVID-19 and I want to thank them for everything they are doing. I hope the public will be reassured, as I am, that a multi agency response is under way right across the City Region and everyone is pulling together to protect the 1.6 million people who rely on us. We all know we are in for an extremely difficult time in the next few days, weeks and, potentially, many months. We know it will be hard, but I also know that if we work together, and look out for each other, we will get through this."

The LCR Cares COVID 19 Community Support Fund website page is now open for donations from the public. Just go to:- VirginMoneyGiving.Com and search for 'LCRCares' or visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK/LCRCares.

Early next week, a simple and speedy processes for organisations to access those funds will be in place.

Speaking about the fund, The Metro Mayor added:- "There is some unbelievable work going on from organisations at the heart of our communities to help keep those communities afloat in these testing times. I am launching the LCR Cares Fund to give those groups the financial support that they need to carry on their invaluable work. I know that some people are unsure of their own financial situations at the moment but, to those who can afford it, I would ask them to give whatever you can. Every donation will help some wonderful organisations continue the brilliant work they are doing to help protect the vulnerable in our Region."

The Liverpool City Region Coronavirus Action Group in more detail...

Chaired by the Metro Mayor, the task force brings together representatives from the Local Resilience Forum, which includes Local Council leaders, the emergency services, and Public Health England, as well as MPs from all political parties and other key local organisations.

Its role is not to replace existing resilience structures, but to provide the Region with a single voice to lobby Government for the action and to support co-ordinated action to help our communities, businesses and public services.

► Free School Bus Travel...

From Monday, 23 March 2020, we will allow free travel on Merseytravel contracted bus services to provide at least some practical financial support to the families of essential workers. This also supports reducing the risk to drivers of handling cash, given that contactless payments are more difficult/not an option for some young people. This is for Merseytravel contracted services to Schools only.

9.30am - Concessionary Travel Restrictions Scrapped...

Restrictions will be scrapped from Monday, 23 March 2020, and continue until the end of 2020 and will enable people over 60 to take advantage of moves by major supermarkets to open early for the elderly and vulnerable, as well as encouraging them to get out and get active when the current crisis is over.

The announcement comes after agreement was reached with Stagecoach, Arriva, Merseyrail, Northern and Transpennine Express and other bus operators.

Commenting further on the announcement, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "We are absolutely committed to doing all that we can to protect the City Region's residents and make their lives as comfortable as possible during this difficult period. As some of the major supermarkets move towards introducing golden hours for the elderly, first thing in the morning, we felt it was only right to introduce this flexibility which will, for example, allow older people to avail themselves of the opportunity to shop for essentials in a safer environment, as well as enabling them to get out and about when things get back to normal. The advice remains that older people, and particularly the over 70's, should only use public transport when absolutely necessary and that they should continue to follow the guidance around staying at home and socially distancing themselves."

► LCR Cares COVID 19 Community Support Fund...

The Community Foundation for Merseyside will manage the LCRcares Fund on behalf of the Metro Mayor and Liverpool City Region.

The Community Foundation for Merseyside is a registered charity and over the past 20 years has distributed in excess of ₤40m to grass root community groups and charities across the Liverpool City Region and has a strong track record, expert team and long held reputation for ensuring funding is provided to the most vulnerable.

Chief Executive, Rae Brooke said:- "We are delighted to be managing the LCRcares Fund and will ensure much needed funding is provided where there's most need and where it will have greatest impact. Many who have the capacity to support financially will want to do that in this exceptional time of need. This is when the best of community spirit can be demonstrated and everyone can make a real difference to the lives of others."

To donate to the LCR Cares Fund please make payments via Bank Transfer. :-

Name:- 'CFLM core'
Sort code:- '09 07 20'
A/C:- '02472775'
Ref:- 'LCRcares'

Search "LCRCares" at:- VirginMoneyGiving.Com or visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK/LCRCares.
Social businesses support fund

In October 2019, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham announced a fund to support Socially Trading Organisations. The Combined Authority has been working with Power to Change and local stakeholders to develop the fund which is due to be launched later this year. Given the huge pressure Socially Trading Organisations are now under, we will be releasing ₤65,000 in funding early to provide tailored business support now. 

Vidhya Alakeson, CEO of Power to Change as Project Sponsor of Kindred, said:- "On behalf of the founding team of Kindred, we are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in these incredibly challenging times to support the City Region's highly valued socially trading organisations, including community businesses. Kindred is about supporting the needs of STOs working in the City Region's communities, and this pre-launch Kindred work will provide non-financial collaborating communities business support for STO needs at this time, backed by Power to Change and the Combined Authority. We recognise that the work of STOs, including community businesses, is particularly critical at this time of national crisis as they provide support to some of the most vulnerable communities in LCR."

20/03/2020

20/03/2020

Healthcare and Medications

ACCORDING to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, there is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make Coronavirus (COVID-19) worse.

The said in a press statement on 20 March 2020:- "Until we have more information, take Paracetamol to treat the symptoms of Coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you Paracetamol is not suitable for you. We are aware there has been concern spreading about the use of ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) in relation to COVID-19. However, there is currently no research into ibuprofen and the new Coronavirus. This includes:-

► The link between ibuprofen and the likelihood of contracting the virus.

► The link between ibuprofen and the worsening of Coronavirus symptoms."

So what is the advive about the use of Ibuprofen and Coronavirus? They added in the statement that:- "Patients who have confirmed COVID-19, or believe they have COVID-19, should take Paracetamol in preference to ibuprofen. Those currently advised to use ibuprofen by their healthcare professional should not stop using them. There is some debate suggesting NSAIDs may increase complications from simple acute respiratory infections or slow recovery. The product information of many NSAIDs already contains warnings that their anti inflammatory effects may hide the symptoms of a worsening infection. However the evidence is not conclusive. In view of the current lack of research the Commission on Human Medicines (an expert advisory body of MHRA) and NICE have been asked to review the evidence."

The Department of Health and Social Care have also announced that more than 80 medicines used to treat patients in intensive care units have been banned from parallel* export from the UK.

All medicines on the list are in high demand across Europe as health systems come under increasing pressure from Coronavirus (COVID-19). The restrictions are a standard measure to manage potential medicine shortages and protects UK patients by ensuring the NHS has the treatments to continue providing world class care.

The new restrictions cover crucial medicines such as:-

Companies that parallel export a medicine on the ban list may face tough enforcement action from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and risk having their trading licence revoked for serious breaches. The parallel export ban will help ensure there is an uninterrupted supply of medicines for NHS Hospitals treating Coronavirus patients.

The Department of Health and Social Care has existing, well established processes to deal with and resolve medicines shortages. The medicine supply chain is complex and highly regulated, so problems can arise for a variety of reasons, including manufacturing issues or problems with raw ingredients.

Health minister Lord Bethell said:- "Our brilliant NHS staff are going above and beyond to provide world-class care to patients with Coronavirus and we are supporting them in every way we can. We are today banning the parallel export of more than 80 crucial medicines to protect patients in the UK and help ensure they can always get the treatments they need."

20 March 2020.- 

* Parallel exporting is when companies buy medicines meant for UK patients and sell on for a higher price in another country, potentially causing or aggravating supply problems.

Online isolation notes launched - providing proof of Coronavirus absence from work

ON 20 March 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care issued the following statement:- "Isolation notes will provide employees with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self isolate due to Coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work. As isolation notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor, this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes. For the 1st 7 days off work, employees can self certify so they don't need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of Coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self isolate. People who need to claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance because of Coronavirus will not be required to produce a fit note or an isolation note. More details on Coronavirus and claiming benefits can be found here. The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online. After answering a few questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user. If they don't have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer. The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else. The isolation note service has been commissioned by NHSX and built by NHS Digital."

Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said:- "It is absolutely vital we do everything we can to ease the burden on our healthcare professionals, allowing them to spend as much time as possible with those patients that need them most. Digital isolation notes will provide reassurance to those self isolating and their employers while also reducing the pressure on our NHS, so they can continue doing all they can to protect the people of this country and save lives. The isolation note service can be accessed via the 111 online Coronavirus service or NHS.UK/Coronavirus as well as via the NHS app."

Education - Exam arrangements

THE Department for Education and The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP issued the following statements about the arrangements for exams which have been cancelled to fight spread of Coronavirus. Published 20 March 2020, the statement says:-  "The exam regulator, Ofqual, and exam boards will work with teachers to provide grades to students whose exams have been cancelled this summer, following our actions to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

University representatives have confirmed that they expect Universities to be flexible and do all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to higher education.

This year's summer exam series, including A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications, and all primary assessments, have been cancelled as we fight to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

The Government's priority is now to ensure affected students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including going into employment, starting University, College or 6th Form courses, or an apprenticeship in the autumn.

This means ensuring GCSE, A and AS level students are awarded a grade which fairly reflects the work that they have put in. There will also be an option to sit an exam early in the next academic year for students who wish to. Ofqual will develop and set out a process that will provide a calculated grade to each student which reflects their performance as fairly as possible, and will work with the exam boards to ensure this is consistently applied for all students. The exam boards will be asking teachers, who know their students well, to submit their judgement about the grade that they believe the student would have received if exams had gone ahead.

To produce this, teachers will take into account a range of evidence and data including performance on mock exams and non-exam assessment; clear guidance on how to do this fairly and robustly will be provided to schools and Colleges. The exam boards will then combine this information with other relevant data, including prior attainment, and use this information to produce a calculated grade for each student, which will be a best assessment of the work they have put in.

Ofqual and exam boards will be discussing with teachers' representatives before finalising an approach, to ensure that it is as fair as possible. More information will be provided as soon as possible.

The aim is to provide these calculated grades to students before the end of July. In terms of a permanent record, the grades will be indistinguishable from those provided in other years. We will also aim to ensure that the distribution of grades follows a similar pattern to that in other years, so that this year's students do not face a systematic disadvantage as a consequence of these extraordinary circumstances."

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:- "Cancelling exams is something no Education Secretary would ever want to do, however these are extraordinary times and this measure is a vital but unprecedented step in the country's efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. My priority now is to ensure no young person faces a barrier when it comes to moving onto the next stage of their lives; whether that's further or higher education, an apprenticeship or a job. I have asked exam boards to work closely with the teachers who know their pupils best to ensure their hard work and dedication is rewarded and fairly recognised.

We recognise that some students may nevertheless feel disappointed that they haven't been able to sit their exams. If they do not believe the correct process has been followed in their case they will be able to appeal on that basis. In addition, if they do not feel their calculated grade reflects their performance, they will have the opportunity to sit an exam at the earliest reasonable opportunity, once schools are open again. Students will also have the option to sit their exams in summer 2021.

There is a very wide range of different vocational and technical qualifications as well as other academic qualifications for which students were expecting to sit exams this summer. These are offered by a large number of awarding organisations, and have differing assessment approaches; in many cases students will already have completed modules or non-exam assessment which could provide evidence to award a grade. We are encouraging these organisations to show the maximum possible flexibility and pragmatism to ensure students are not disadvantaged. Ofqual is working urgently with the sector to explore options and we will work with them to provide more details shortly."

The Government will not publish any school or College level educational performance data based on tests, assessments or exams for 2020.

The DfE Coronavirus helpline if have a query about Coronavirus (COVID-19), relating to Schools and other educational establishments in England is:- 0800 046 8687. Lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, and weekends 10am to 4pm.

20 March 2020.

Liverpool to open hubs for children of key workers

AROUND 50 hubs to look after Primary age children of key workers in Liverpool will open on Monday, 23 March 2020. It follows the Government's decision to close Schools later today until further notice, as part of the response to Coronavirus. The strategically located School sites are only for Primary age pupils whose parents are key workers and have no other safe childcare available to them, and will initially be open from 9am until 4pm. Parents of Primary School children who are eligible are asked to take their child to the nearest site which is convenient for them on Monday, where there will be staff available to receive them. There will be no provision for Secondary School pupils, but Secondary Schools are identifying vulnerable children and will be proactively contacting those parents directly to see if they need any support. The City's 5 Nursery Schools:- Abercromby Nursery School; Chatham Place Nursery School; East Prescot Road Nursery; Ellergreen Nursery School and Everton Nursery School; are currently remaining open and will accept children of key workers who have no other available childcare. Some Special Schools will also be open:- Palmerston School; Princes Primary School; Hope School; Sandfield Park School; Woolton High School; Redbridge; Milstead; Abbotts Lea and Bank View and will be in touch with parents regarding their capacity to support children.

Director of Education, Steve Reddy said:- "These are unprecedented times and I would like to thank all Schools for their support over the last couple of days in coming up with a list of hubs. It is really important that people understand that the Government has instructed all Schools to close from Friday. Many were already struggling to continue to provide an education for children due to the number of staff in self isolation. We simply can't keep every School site open because that would not be sustainable, so what we have tried to do is come up with a list of strategically placed sites which we believe can be staffed, at least in the short term. My appeal to parents is to only take their child to a hub if they are on the list of key workers and they have no other childcare available to them. I want to be really honest with people: I know that the list of sites is not perfect, and that it will inconvenience some parents, but we are trying to do our very best in what are very exceptional circumstances. I promise that we will be reviewing the situation every single day and we will let people know if we are able to open more sites, or have to make other changes. Please keep checking our website regularly for updates and bear with us as we prioritise support for parents whose job is essential to keeping the City functioning and do not have any other available childcare."

The list of key workers is:-

►   Social workers, care workers, health and social care staff and those required to maintain the sector.

►   Teachers, specialist education professionals and nursery staff.

►   Staff essential to the operation of the justice system.

►   Staff involved in the management of the deceased.

►   Administrative staff in local government essential to the delivery of the COVID-19 response.

►   Staff delivering essential public services such as payment of benefits.

►   Staff involved in the distribution of food or other key goods.

►   Police and Police Support Staff.

►   Fire and rescue staff and support staff.

►   Transport workers.

►   Utilities workers.

►   Probation staff.

►   IT staff necessary to support COVID-19 response.

►   Payment providers.

►   Waste disposal service presumably including refuse collection.

In addition, other workers described include:-

►   Armed forces personnel.

►   MoD Civilian Staff and contractors.

►   National Crime Agency.

►   Border Security.

►   National security staff.

►   Religions and charity staff.

►   Journalists and broadcasters.

The list of hubs is:-

►   Arnot St Mary, Arnot Street, L4

►   All Saint's Catholic Primary, Oakfield, Anfield

►   Anfield Road Primary School, Anfield Road, Anfield

►   Banks Road Primary, Banks Road, Garston

►   Barlows Primary School, Barlows Lane, Fazakerley

►   The Beacon Church of England Primary, Heyworth Street, Everton

►   Blackmoor Park Infants, Leyfield Road, L12

►   Dovedale Primary, Herondale Road, L18

►   Fazakerley Primary, Formosa Drive, L10

►   Faith Primary School, Prince Edwin Street, L5

►   Florence Melly Primary, Bushey Road, L4

►   Greenbank Primary School, Mossley Avenue , L18

►   Holy Cross Primary, Fontenoy Street, L3

►   Holy Name Catholic Primary, Mosspits Lane, Fazakerley

►   Hunts Cross Primary School, Kingsthorne Road, L25

►   Kensington Community Primary School, Brae Street

►   Kingsley Community School, Eversley Street

►   Liverpool College, Queens Drive, L18

►   Matthew Arnold Primary School, Dingle Lane, Dingle

►   Mosspits Lane Primary School, Mosspits Lane, Wavertree

►   Middlefield Community Primary, Alder Wood Avenue, Speke

►   Monksdown Primary School, Monksdown Road, Norris Green

►   Norman Pannell School, Brownbill Bank, L27

►   Northcote Community Primary, Cavendish Drive, Walton

►   Our Lady and St Philomena's Catholic Primary School, Sparrowhall Road, L9

►   Our Lady and St Swithin's Catholic Primary, Parkstile Lane, L11

►   Phoenix Primary School, Birchfield Road, L7

►   Pleasant Street Community Primary, Pleasant Street, L3

►   Rice Lane Primary, Brockenhurst Road, L9

►   Rudston Primary School, Rudston Road, L16

►   Sacred Heart Catholic School, Hall Lane, Kensington

►   Springwood Heath Primary, Danefield Road, Allerton

►   Sudley Junior School, Aigburth Road, L17

►   St Ambrose Primary School, Alderfield Road, L24

►   St Christopher's Catholic Primary, Tarbock Road, L24

►   St Nicholas Catholic Primary School, Orthes Street, L3

►   St Oswald's Catholic Primary School, Montague Road, Old Swan

►   St Teresa of Lisieux Catholic Primary School, Uttington Avenue East, L11

►   St John's Catholic Primary, Fountains Road, Kirkdale

►   St Margaret's Anfield CE Primary, Lower Breck Road, Anfield

►   St Paul and St. Timothy's Infant School, South Parkside Drive, L12

►   St Paul's Catholic Junior School, Spring Grove, L12

►   St Sebastian's Catholic Primary School, Holly Road, Fairfield

►   Stockton Wood Primary, All Saints Road, Speke

►   Wavertree Church of England Primary, Rose Villas, L15

►   Windsor Primary School, Upper Hill Street, L8

►   Woolton Primary School, Out Lane L25

►   Our Lady of Assumption, Hedgefield Road, Belle Vale

►   St Hugh's Primary School, Earle Road, L7

►   Our Lady Immaculate Primary School, Northumberland Terrace, L5

In addition, Children's Centres will be open for parents of children on Free School Meals to collect vouchers which can be redeemed in store or online at ASDA. Those in self isolation can phone their Centre to arrange for the vouchers to be delivered.

The list of hubs is available at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/Coronavirus.

20/03/2020