Tag: Covid 19

Community News, News

COVID 19: Manchester Convention Centre to become 1,000 bed hospital
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Pic: John Duffy

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens’ announcement today of a new temporary hospital at Manchester Central Convention Centre, to help cope with the increase demands on the health service during the Covid 19 outbreak.

The temporary field hospital will be fitted with 1,000 beds  with the armed forces working with the NHS for its construction.

Sir Simon said:”These are extraordinary steps the NHS is taking, and clinicians, managers and military planners are working day and night to create, equip and staff these hospitals from scratch and prepare for the surge that is likely to be coming.

“While we continue to pull out all the stops, we do need the public to play their part. Every single person in this country can make a difference by following the medical advice to the letter – stay at home, wash your hands, which will help stop the virus letting rip and will therefore save lives.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “As the owners of Manchester Central Convention Complex, we have worked with the Ministry of Defence and health services to make the building urgently available for this vital use. The need to establish this new hospital underlines the serious nature of the Covid-19 pandemic we all face but also shows how seriously it is being responded to and I hope the public are reassured by the swiftness of this action.”

Community News, Crime, News

COVID 19: Man arrested for assaulting shopworker

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A man has been arrested after assaulting a shop-worker in a Wythenshawe supermarket in a row over COVID 19 social distancing rules.

Supermarkets in Wythenshawe, including Asda in the Civic Centre and Tesco in Baguley have stepped up social distancing measures in response to government advice to help halt the spread of COVID 19.

 

 

Community News, Crime, News, Politics

Confusion over COVID 19 lock-down rules – what do they say and how do they affect you?

download6454172465924611860.jpegSome Wythenshawe residents have said they are confused over the Covid 19 lock-down rules with one saying her family were told to go home while taking their daily exercise.

Posting on the Wythenshawe Covid-19 Community Support Facebook group, one resident said: “Just been out with my kids and my partner for our daily exercise just walk and we got stopped by the police saying that there is only supposed to be two people out of your house hold allowed out together. What is right? I’m confused”.

Local police pointed the Wythenshawe Reporter to the College of Policing guidelines which advises officers how to apply the new powers which came into force on Thursday (March 26th).

The new laws place restrictions on movement and gatherings and says no-one may leave their home without a reasonable excuse. Reasonable excuses include:

  • obtaining basic necessities
  • exercise (once a day)
  • meeting a legal obligation, including attending court or satisfying bail conditions
  • seeking medical assistance
  • attending a funeral
  • moving house
  • visiting a place of worship
  • caring for or assisting a vulnerable person who is someone: aged 70 years or older / under 70 years old with an underlying health condition / pregnant

The guidance also states: “Police can instruct gatherings of three or more people to disperse or remove any person from that gathering to their home.”

When asked if the rules on gatherings apply to families of three or more who live together, a local police officer said they were still awaiting a direction on it from their legal team and details hadn’t  been released to them yet. It would be for the courts to interpret the laws.

But information in the government’s guidance on the new rules says gatherings of three or more people should not take place except if the people involved live together. It says:  “This means that a parent can, for example, take their children to the shops if there is no option to leave them at home.”

Police officers have been told try to educate people who are breaking the rules and to explain the risks to public health, but they would take enforcement action as a last resort.

They can direct people to return to their homes and can use reasonable force where necessary.

But police are also advised to use discretion and consider that it might not be safe for everyone to be at home in circumstances where domestic abuse, child abuse or mental health issues might be a factor.

Police can impose fixed penalty fines of £60 which would be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days. Fines of £120 can be imposed for second time offenders, doubling on each time the person offends again.

The individual will not get a criminal record unless they don’t pay the fines.

 

 

 

Community News, News, Politics, Sport

Strong community spirit will see Wythenshawe through the COVID 19 crisis

The Wythenshawe community is pulling together in the face of Covid 19.

This week Wythenshawe Foodbank thanked local businesses and the community for their support as well as Wythenshawe Community Housing Group who donated a vehicle for the distribution of food to those in need.

A spokesman said: “We are receiving a lot of demand for our service. We are seeing an incredible rallying around of the community and if you want to get in touch with Wythenshawe Food bank you can get in touch through our social media.”

Express Solicitors dontated £1000 to the foodbank.

The United Estates of Wythenshawe gym closed last night following government advice but earlier last week was helping deliver food to those in need and provided a space for people to chat.

A Facebook group – Wythenshawe COVID 19 Community Support –  has been established with nearly 4000 followers and is coordinating support for the most vulnerable in the town.

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And Tesco in Baguley will will be opening its doors early on Sunday morning exclusively for health workers from Wythenshawe Hospital as a thank you for their hard work during the crisis.

Community Centres in Wythenshawe will be changing the way it provides its services from Monday March 23. Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre and Benchill Community Centre will be closed except for the distribution of  lunch-packs for the vulnerable at the venues between 12.00 and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

 

And Wythenshawe Good Neighbours Project is also involved in co-ordinating services in the community.

COVID 19 has also hit sport in the town, with all league games suspended until further notice. But the clubs have been doing their bit for the community.