FORMBY
COULSON FLOORING
BEST PRICE , BEST QUALITY , GUARANTEED • CARPETS • VINYL • LAMINATE FLOORING OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
0151 924 4710 • 07919 531 658 171 COLLEGE ROAD, CROSBY, L23 7TZ Open Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm
18 March 2020
Vol 27 Issue 12
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
www.champnews.com
Mobile matrix signs to ease bypass congestion
Daffodil appeal praised
VIRUS FEARS STRIKE AT HEART OF COMMUNITY
l Pride of Formby Awards cancelled l Hospital visiting restricted l Local and Mayoral elections postponed l Pubs and clubs face uncertain future ACTION is being ramped up across Sefton to deal with the coronavirus crisis with residents, businesses, the public sector and the leisure sector heeding government advice to avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres. As the outbreak spreads across the UK, it was confirmed last week that the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Sefton and to date, remains the only reported case in the borough. Locally, all visiting at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals will be restricted from today (Wednesday, March 18) following government coronavirus advice to avoid all unnecessary contact and travel. Families and friends of patients with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection are asked not to visit hospital other than in exceptional circumstances. For all other patients visiting is restricted to a named individual for one hour a day. Separate arrangements will apply to maternity and women in labour, child inpatients, and the accident and emergency department. Chief executive Trish Armstrong-Child said: “I know these restrictions will be difficult and frustrating for many people but it is essential we do everything in our power to protect patients, their visitors and our staff from infection. “We are asking people to limit visiting and consider other ways of keeping in touch, such as using the phone.” Visitors with symptoms relating to COVID-19, must not visit hospital and follow the
Report by Danielle Thompson guidance issued by NHS111. Anyone with any symptoms relating to a stomach upset, including diarrhoea and/or vomiting, should also stay away. Meanwhile, the body responsible for local health services has reassured residents in Southport and Formby that it is “extremely well prepared” to deal with an outbreak of coronavirus. A spokesperson for NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said, regarding its ability to cope with potential cases of COVID 19: “NHS Southport and Formby CCG and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. “The CCG continues to work closely with their local GP practices, community service and hospital colleagues, as well as other partners, to put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.” Neighbouring Southport MP Damien Moore revealed that he is in ‘daily contact with the chief executive of Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals and Sefton Council about local cases and ‘their capacity to treat the problem effectively’. He told the Champion: “I am also working with colleagues in Parliament to ensure those updates from our hospital are listened to by the govern-
The Covid-19 Southport & Formby Support Group are offering free downloads and printoffs of this warning poster
ment. I have also spoken with the Chancellor and the Treasury about the support that is being offered to small businesses, particularly the hospitality sec-
tor including restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. This follows the advice issued by the government to avoid group gatherings as much as possible. “I understand those businesses are concerned that the government's advice is voluntary, and therefore they are not able to claim on their insurance for their loss of revenue – even their ongoing costs such as staff absence and other overheads. “I am lobbying the government to adjust their position based on the most up-to-date advice so businesses affected can make a claim, and I am continuously reviewing government advice to ensure businesses are well-served during this crisis. “The British Retail Consortium has published a statement signed by all major supermarket chains in the UK. In that statement, the chains re-iterated that there is more than enough produce to serve everybody and that panic-buying will only lead to shortages for others.” Meanwhile, Formby MP Bill Esterson has called for banks that were bailed out by the taxpayer to play their part in supporting businesses through the coronavirus crisis. (See full story on page 3) Another victim of the crisis are the Pride of Formby Awards. Formby parish council have announced that it is ‘with deepest regret’ that they have got to postpone this year’s awards which were due to be held on Friday, March 27 at the Gild Hall.
THE UK’S LARGEST LETTERBOX CIRCULATION BY AN INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER! 164,824
Continued inside
CHAMPION SERIES
JAN-DEC 2019 100% FREE