Sefton Council says it is reviewing the measures it has to support vulnerable people, including those who were previously shielding, following today’s announcement that Sefton is among areas which will see new lockdown measures come into place.
Merseyside, Warrington, Halton and Lancashire (excluding Blackpool), will see new restrictions come into force from Tuesday (22 September).
Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher urged people to continue with social distancing, follow the guidelines on wearing masks and face coverings and to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly.
Cases of patients with Covid-19 have risen in Sefton in the last week to 53.2 per 100,00 (147 new cases), up from 42.3 per 100,000 (117 new cases) last week.
Cllr Maher said: “I know people will be concerned at this news but with infection rates rising in people of all ages across our communities, it is important that we all make every effort to restrict the spread of the virus and these new measures will support that.
“This means not socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubbles in private homes and gardens.
“It means pubs, bars and restaurants stick to table service only for food and drink and that these establishments, along with cinemas, have to close at 10pm.”
A number of measures will come into force, including:
- Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens;
- Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only; and
- Late night operating hours will be restricted, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10pm to 5am.
Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:
- Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
- Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.
The new restrictions also mean people should only use public transport for essential purposes such as travelling to school or work, and should not attend amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.
Yesterday’s figures revealed that Covid-19 cases in Sefton have risen to 53.2 per 100,00 (147 new cases), up from 42.3 per 100,000 (117 new cases) last week.
Cases are even worse in the rest of the Merseyside region with figures elsewhere:
Knowsley 114.7 (173), 61.6 (93)
Liverpool 107.8 (537), 67.5 (336)
St. Helens 102.4 (185), 65.3 (118)
Wirral 94.1 (305), 72.8 (236)
Cllr Maher said: “As I have said previously, the council is really appreciative of all the efforts and sacrifices made by Sefton’s population and the borough’s business to protect vulnerable people across our communities.
“Now we are relying on our residents and businesses to continue working with us and to follow these new restrictions to prevent tighter measures being reintroduced.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have been working with our partners to support vulnerable people across the borough and we are reviewing the measures we have in place to support them, including those people who were previously shielding.”
Cllr Maher stressed the need for people to continue with social distancing, follow the guidelines on wearing masks and face coverings and to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. He also called on Sefton’s businesses to ensure they are protecting their customers and staff by having all the required measures in place, including Test and Trace arrangements at pubs, bars and restaurants, in addition to the newly-announced restrictions.
Earlier this week, Cllr Maher also joined The Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region and the Leaders of four Cheshire Local Authorities in calling on the Government urgently to deploy more Covid-19 testing capacity in the region.
He said: “Testing is vital to helping prevent the spread of coronavirus and we need those people who develop the coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, to get a test immediately, for their own safety and the safety of others.
“To make an appointment at their nearest available Test Centre or order a Home Testing Kit, they need to visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.”
Cllr Maher also said it is vitally important that if any Sefton residents are contacted by the Test and Trace programme, they comply with the requests of the contact tracers and stay home if they are asked to do so.
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