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Civilians getting Covid-19 mass testing training for when Army leave city
Key groups are receiving instruction on lateral flow test delivery
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BY LUKE TRAYNOR
13:48, 24 NOV 2020
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Members of the public get training on how to deliver lateral flow tests for when the Army leave Liverpool(Image: luke traynor)
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Training sessions are being given to members of the public so they can keep delivering the Covid-19 testing regime once 2,000 soldiers deployed to Liverpool leave the city.
The military has been stationed here since the pilot scheme was launched on November 6, in a bid to drive down the rates of coronavirus infection.
But the Army personnel are set to start departing on December 2 when the national lockdown ends and the UK goes to an amended tiered system.
To fill the gap, the military have been training civilians to administer the lateral flow tests to check if people are free of the virus.
It is being offered to a mix of different agencies including staff who work in care homes.
The training could also benefit Liverpool's three universities with people trained to deliver tests on students to more easily allow them to travel back home for Christmas.
The city council will be offering reduced but focused testing beyond December 2, concentrating on the areas where there is the greatest need.
Mobile test centres, designed for people feeling unwell and who suspected they have Covid-19 symptoms, will continue to operate.
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When Tier 3 was first imposed on Merseyside, Liverpool and Knowsley were the top two worst affected parts of the country, with infection rates of around 700 cases per 100,000.
Keep up to date with local cases in your area by adding your postcode below:
Now the city region's overall rate is down to just 184 per 100,000 (in the week up to November 19) and none of the region’s boroughs appear in the list of the country’s 100 most affected areas.
Today, Downing Street said the government still wanted a UK-wide approach to the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.
Ahead of a Cobra meeting with the leaders of the devolved administrations chaired by Michael Gove, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have been clear of our desire to try and agree a four-nations approach which will allow families to meet up over the Christmas period."
Agreement has not yet been reached and it is not clear whether the Cobra meeting will provide certainty for families planning their Christmas celebrations.
But the Number 10 spokesman said: "We continue to work with the devolved nations to agree a plan to allow families to meet up over Christmas.
"That work is ongoing and there will be a meeting later of Cobra to discuss it."
READ MORE
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The Health Secretary said the wrangling with the likes of Greater Manchester over the escalation of the tiered system had influenced the decision not to enter into negotiations under the altered scheme next month.
Speaking to a joint session of the Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee, Matt Hancock added: "The reason we are doing it differently is whilst in most cases when we negotiated with most areas in the previous tiered arrangement, we had a high quality discussion which led to better outcomes - a case in point is Liverpool, where the case rate has fallen by over two-thirds in the last three weeks.
"Unfortunately that wasn't the case in all local areas."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says Christmas ‘won’t be fully normal’
Asked by Graham Stringer MP whether he was referring to Greater Manchester, Mr Hancock said: "That would be one example but not the only one."
Mr Hancock defended the decision not to publish Cabinet papers on economic assessment of measures, unlike decisions to publish Sage scientific advice.
He said he would discuss this with the Chancellor.
"Cabinet papers are not typically published to protect decision-making," he said.
It has also emerged how councils, like Liverpool, will be given new powers to close businesses for up to a week if they fail to make their premises Covid-secure, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "Until now, local authorities have been able to issue fines to businesses who have failed to comply with the legal obligations to be Covid-secure.
"The new powers will allow them to formally request rapid improvement or close these premises where appropriate through the issuing of notices.
Follow chief reporter Luke Traynor on social media
Follow Luke on Twitter here
You can read more of his stories here
Email him at luke.traynor@reachplc.com or call 0151 330 5051 if you want to share any news, stories or updates.
Keep up to date with the latest breaking Liverpool news here
Like the ECHO News Facebook page here and follow @LivEchoNews on Twitter
"These will include a coronavirus improvement notice which will give premises 48 hours to rapidly implement Covid-secure measures; a coronavirus immediate restriction notice which will close any premises which pose a public health risk for an initial 48 hours to give the premises time to put in necessary safeguards; and a coronavirus restriction notice which will close premises for seven days."
The spokesman said premises will be fined £2,000 for breaching an improvement notice and £4,000 for breaching a restriction notice.
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Civilians getting Covid-19 mass testing training for when Army leave city
Key groups are receiving instruction on lateral flow test delivery
SHARE
BY LUKE TRAYNOR
13:48, 24 NOV 2020
See news near you
Enter your postcode
LEC_LTRA_241120_TRAININGJPG.jpg
Members of the public get training on how to deliver lateral flow tests for when the Army leave Liverpool(Image: luke traynor)
Sign up to FREE email alerts from Liverpool Echo - Echo Daily News
Enter email
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Training sessions are being given to members of the public so they can keep delivering the Covid-19 testing regime once 2,000 soldiers deployed to Liverpool leave the city.
The military has been stationed here since the pilot scheme was launched on November 6, in a bid to drive down the rates of coronavirus infection.
But the Army personnel are set to start departing on December 2 when the national lockdown ends and the UK goes to an amended tiered system.
To fill the gap, the military have been training civilians to administer the lateral flow tests to check if people are free of the virus.
It is being offered to a mix of different agencies including staff who work in care homes.
The training could also benefit Liverpool's three universities with people trained to deliver tests on students to more easily allow them to travel back home for Christmas.
The city council will be offering reduced but focused testing beyond December 2, concentrating on the areas where there is the greatest need.
Mobile test centres, designed for people feeling unwell and who suspected they have Covid-19 symptoms, will continue to operate.
MOST READ
ITV I'm a Celebrity fans all saying the same thing about Shane Richie after camp drama
Stoned drug dealer caught driving Audi argued cannabis 'just a plant'
I'm A Celebrity 'central heating' claims answered by Gwrych Castle
When Tier 3 was first imposed on Merseyside, Liverpool and Knowsley were the top two worst affected parts of the country, with infection rates of around 700 cases per 100,000.
Keep up to date with local cases in your area by adding your postcode below:
Now the city region's overall rate is down to just 184 per 100,000 (in the week up to November 19) and none of the region’s boroughs appear in the list of the country’s 100 most affected areas.
Today, Downing Street said the government still wanted a UK-wide approach to the relaxation of restrictions over Christmas.
Ahead of a Cobra meeting with the leaders of the devolved administrations chaired by Michael Gove, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have been clear of our desire to try and agree a four-nations approach which will allow families to meet up over the Christmas period."
Agreement has not yet been reached and it is not clear whether the Cobra meeting will provide certainty for families planning their Christmas celebrations.
But the Number 10 spokesman said: "We continue to work with the devolved nations to agree a plan to allow families to meet up over Christmas.
"That work is ongoing and there will be a meeting later of Cobra to discuss it."
READ MORE
All the Liverpool Echo's newsletters and how to sign up for them
The Health Secretary said the wrangling with the likes of Greater Manchester over the escalation of the tiered system had influenced the decision not to enter into negotiations under the altered scheme next month.
Speaking to a joint session of the Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee, Matt Hancock added: "The reason we are doing it differently is whilst in most cases when we negotiated with most areas in the previous tiered arrangement, we had a high quality discussion which led to better outcomes - a case in point is Liverpool, where the case rate has fallen by over two-thirds in the last three weeks.
"Unfortunately that wasn't the case in all local areas."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says Christmas ‘won’t be fully normal’
Asked by Graham Stringer MP whether he was referring to Greater Manchester, Mr Hancock said: "That would be one example but not the only one."
Mr Hancock defended the decision not to publish Cabinet papers on economic assessment of measures, unlike decisions to publish Sage scientific advice.
He said he would discuss this with the Chancellor.
"Cabinet papers are not typically published to protect decision-making," he said.
It has also emerged how councils, like Liverpool, will be given new powers to close businesses for up to a week if they fail to make their premises Covid-secure, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "Until now, local authorities have been able to issue fines to businesses who have failed to comply with the legal obligations to be Covid-secure.
"The new powers will allow them to formally request rapid improvement or close these premises where appropriate through the issuing of notices.
Follow chief reporter Luke Traynor on social media
Follow Luke on Twitter here
You can read more of his stories here
Email him at luke.traynor@reachplc.com or call 0151 330 5051 if you want to share any news, stories or updates.
Keep up to date with the latest breaking Liverpool news here
Like the ECHO News Facebook page here and follow @LivEchoNews on Twitter
"These will include a coronavirus improvement notice which will give premises 48 hours to rapidly implement Covid-secure measures; a coronavirus immediate restriction notice which will close any premises which pose a public health risk for an initial 48 hours to give the premises time to put in necessary safeguards; and a coronavirus restriction notice which will close premises for seven days."
The spokesman said premises will be fined £2,000 for breaching an improvement notice and £4,000 for breaching a restriction notice.
Follow @LivEchonews
MORE ON
CoronavirusArmed ForcesHealth And Fitness
NEWS
WHAT'S ON
SPORT
IN YOUR AREA
LIVERPOOL FC
EVERTON FC
CELEBS
BUSINESS
FOLLOW US
© 2020 a Reach plc subsidiary
