Sefton Council Leader’s Covid-19 warning over new restrictions as Sefton records 456 new cases

Southport and the rest of Merseyside are about to see further Covid-19 restrictions imposed. 

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher believes that households will not be able to mix under the new measures. 

The local authority’s Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson Tweeted: “Expecting more restrictions for our area. Leader of our Council has issued a press statement.

“Sefton approaching similar levels of cases to the North East and main problems still appear to be households mixing.”

The Prime Minister will give a joint Coronavirus press conference tomorrow with Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance for the first time in weeks as new infections have continued to soar across the UK.

Boris Johnson gave a televised address last week as he announced 10pm curfew on pubs and other hospitality venues, alongside orders for office workers to work from home once again.

It is not expected that he will announce further national restrictions but he will address the rising Covid-19 infection numbers amid possible announcements over new local or national lockdown measures.

Responding today to speculation that the Government is going to announce further Covid-19 restrictions across Merseyside, Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “As a result of the continued rise in numbers of confirmed Covid-19 infections, both regionally and nationally, we understand that the Government is planning on imposing further restrictions across Merseyside.

“This could mean that households will not be able to mix and we await clarification about any other possible restrictions. This is despite the further measures introduced across Merseyside on 22 September.

“While, along with other Merseyside leaders, I would have liked to have seen enforcement of current restrictions before new ones are added, I will support any measures that will protect vulnerable people in our communities.”

Covid-19 cases continue to rise across every borough in Merseyside according to new figures released last night. 

In the seven days to 25 September, Sefton’s rate rose from 103.8 per 100,000 compared to 165 per 100,000 in the week before, an increase from 287 new Covid-19 patients to 456. 

Sefton’s 165 rate is still below Knowsley at 279.7, the highest rate in the country with 422 new cases and Liverpool, third with 262.2 and 1,306 new cases, both above Newcastle, which has already seen additional measures introduced. 

The latest figures for all of the Merseyside boroughs are: 

Knowsley 279.7 (422), 152.5 (230)

Liverpool 262.2 (1306), 165.4 (824)

St. Helens 187.7 (339), 120.2 (217)

Sefton 165.0 (456), 103.8 (287)

Wirral 162.6 (527), 137.6 (446)

Cllr Ian Maher said: “I have joined Merseyside leaders in writing to the Government to seek clarity on what resources they will make available for us and the police to enforce these measures.

“We want the Government to extend the furlough scheme, and to provide further financial support for our businesses and their employees, particularly in the leisure, hospitality and sport industries.

“We will await the Government’s guidelines on mixing and we have highlighted the potential effects of separating children from key workers in school and early years settings as we are stressing the importance of maintaining resilience in the health and public sectors to minimise isolation.

“Once again, I would like to thank Sefton’s residents and businesses for all the efforts and sacrifices they have made during the pandemic.

“I would also stress how important it is that people stick to the current guidelines and any new regulations, not just to avoid the heavy fines they could face but to protect our communities, our vulnerable, our economy and our future.”

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