themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Restaurants and bars blast government as it urges punters to stay away

Restaurant and bar owners say they 've been 'hung out to dry ' after the government urged customers to stay away - but stopped short of ordering closures and offering support .
In his press conference today , Boris Johnson asked people to avoid any unnecessary social contact including going out to eat , drink and to the theatre as part of new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus .
But unlike leaders in countries such as Ireland , France and Italy , he did not ban venues from opening - leaving venues having to make difficult decisions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McNeeny , whose family run The Oxford pub in Rochdale , said : `` It seems to indicate a complete lack of b*****s , I think that 's the technical term .
`` Really if they picked a stance and said pubs need to shut , like other countries have done , it would have put us in such a better position from an insurance perspective than effectively dooming so many businesses .
`` They are effectively throwing us to the wolves .
`` If someone had just said we need to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bare bones of a plan there but we 're not better off than we were this morning . ''
Elena Rowe , who co-owns Burnage craft beer bar Reasons to Be Cheerful , also voiced her anger at the government 's lack of clarity .
`` They 've pushed responsibility on to businesses , which I think is pretty dangerous , '' she said .
`` They 've just shafted us completely .
No questions were answered about relief , insurance , delaying VAT payments , how we have to deal with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any leadership .
I 'm very annoyed and worried , and for the first time really upset and anxious .
`` I want some real responsibility and guidance because obviously we 're not experts in this .
I want them to protect us , and the people of this country , and businesses and the economy .
I just do n't think they are doing that . ''
Rachel Choudhary , who opened Ancoats restaurant Street Urchin together with husband Kevin last year , said restaurants had been 'hung out to dry ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was devastated by the lack of guidance and the decisions now facing her as a result .
`` It 's so disingenuous and so wishy washy to say [ restaurants ] can stay open but probably do n't go .
That 's just a cop out .
`` We 're so new and so young and so fragile .
We 've worked so hard , everything we have in the world is in this restaurant .
We have no back up , our pockets are n't deep .
`` I really do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anything I hope everyone who has people who are at risk will be fine .
Money is only money but I have a team of people I have made promises to and I feel very responsible for that .
`` I really want to be able to be fair but for me to be fair I need the system to be fair . ''
David Fox , the owner of pan-Asian restaurant group Tampopo , said the next 24 hours would be the most difficult in his 23 years in the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left companies like his with no financial lifelines beyond the measures announced in last week 's Budget , which included a business rates holiday for smaller hospitality operators and sick pay refunds for staff who are self isolating .
`` That 's very difficult because I 'm now in a position with 150 members of staff and zero income , '' he said .
`` What am I supposed to do ? ''
David said he hoped the Government would offer a support package like that in Denmark , where the government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover 75 % of workers ' salaries , with employers paying the remaining 25 % .
`` The reality is hospitality is one of the largest employers .
It does n't take a rocket scientist to understand the consequences of these recommendations , and therefore it would be sensible to have that support , '' he said .
`` For me , underwriting it to 100 % is not sustainable .
I did some sums based on a 50 % drop off in sales and , at that , we would be making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
`` You can only imaging what no sales would bring .
It 's fair to say most businesses , expecially SMEs including myself , do n't have the cash resources to fund that .
`` The knock on consequences of those people losing their jobs and not being able to pay their rent and all the collateral damage that 's going to flow through to supply chains is nothing short of an economic catastrophe . ''
Operators have also voiced worries that the government 's refusal to impose mandatory closures could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it is not clear whether such an unprecedented situation would be covered by many policies .
Sacha Lord , Greater Manchester 's night time economy adviser , said he was 'overwhelmingly disappointed ' with the measures announced today and would be pressing the Government to protect businesses in the sector .
`` Greater Manchester 's bars , clubs , restaurants and nightlife are the heart of our region and I know how devastating this latest news will be to all owners , '' he said .
`` The uncertainty this measure has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be crippling and I know most , if not all , operators will currently be feeling scared for their futures .
`` The move to advise customers to avoid pubs and clubs , rather than implementing an outright closure , combined with no end date , will affect the rights that venue owners have with regards to insurance claims .
`` I am in touch with my equivalent Night Economy Advisers across the world and we are one of the only countries not to provide a specific time frame .
`` With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively talking to Government to try to ensure businesses are able to protect themselves and survive through these trying times , including being able to claim on business interruption insurance .
`` I know this will be imperative for some operators , and I want you to know I am and will continue to fight hard to support you .
You are not alone . ''
Sacha said he urged venues to organise and prepare takeaway and delivery facilities if possible ; encourage the sale of gift cards ; and keep planning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - asking customers if they would be willing to pay up front in return for discounts .
`` As difficult this period will be , we must pull together , '' he said .
`` We must think about the wider community , and protect the lives of the most vulnerable , the ones who need us most .
We must be brave enough to take these hits to help combat the spread of coronavirus and protect our staff and customers .
Together we can help our sector stay safe , stay well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Lastly , I want to say this : Greater Manchester , we will get through this , but we must come together and fight together .
We will recover , but we must be strong and keep faith . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester
Restaurant and bar owners say they've been 'hung out to dry' after the government urged customers to stay away - but stopped short of ordering closures and offering support.
In his press conference today, Boris Johnson asked people to avoid any unnecessary social contact including going out to eat, drink and to the theatre as part of new measures to slow the spread of coronavirus.
But unlike leaders in countries such as Ireland, France and Italy, he did not ban venues from opening - leaving venues having to make difficult decisions with no guarantees of financial help.
Tom McNeeny, whose family run The Oxford pub in Rochdale, said: "It seems to indicate a complete lack of b*****s, I think that's the technical term.
"Really if they picked a stance and said pubs need to shut, like other countries have done, it would have put us in such a better position from an insurance perspective than effectively dooming so many businesses.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"They are effectively throwing us to the wolves.
"If someone had just said we need to close, at least we would have the bare bones of a plan there but we're not better off than we were this morning."
Elena Rowe, who co-owns Burnage craft beer bar Reasons to Be Cheerful, also voiced her anger at the government's lack of clarity.
"They've pushed responsibility on to businesses, which I think is pretty dangerous," she said.
"They've just shafted us completely. No questions were answered about relief, insurance, delaying VAT payments, how we have to deal with all that.
"They are not showing any leadership. I'm very annoyed and worried, and for the first time really upset and anxious.
"I want some real responsibility and guidance because obviously we're not experts in this. I want them to protect us, and the people of this country, and businesses and the economy. I just don't think they are doing that."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Rachel Choudhary, who opened Ancoats restaurant Street Urchin together with husband Kevin last year, said restaurants had been 'hung out to dry' by the government,
She said she was devastated by the lack of guidance and the decisions now facing her as a result.
"It's so disingenuous and so wishy washy to say [restaurants] can stay open but probably don't go. That's just a cop out.
"We're so new and so young and so fragile. We've worked so hard, everything we have in the world is in this restaurant. We have no back up, our pockets aren't deep.
"I really don't know what to do.
"More than anything I hope everyone who has people who are at risk will be fine. Money is only money but I have a team of people I have made promises to and I feel very responsible for that.
"I really want to be able to be fair but for me to be fair I need the system to be fair."
David Fox, the owner of pan-Asian restaurant group Tampopo, said the next 24 hours would be the most difficult in his 23 years in the industry.
He said the government's announcement left companies like his with no financial lifelines beyond the measures announced in last week's Budget, which included a business rates holiday for smaller hospitality operators and sick pay refunds for staff who are self isolating.
"That's very difficult because I'm now in a position with 150 members of staff and zero income," he said.
"What am I supposed to do?"
David said he hoped the Government would offer a support package like that in Denmark, where the government is offering state aid to affected companies to cover 75% of workers' salaries, with employers paying the remaining 25%.
"The reality is hospitality is one of the largest employers. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the consequences of these recommendations, and therefore it would be sensible to have that support," he said.
"For me, underwriting it to 100% is not sustainable. I did some sums based on a 50% drop off in sales and, at that, we would be making a loss of nearly £600,000 over three months.
"You can only imaging what no sales would bring. It's fair to say most businesses, expecially SMEs including myself, don't have the cash resources to fund that.
"The knock on consequences of those people losing their jobs and not being able to pay their rent and all the collateral damage that's going to flow through to supply chains is nothing short of an economic catastrophe."
Operators have also voiced worries that the government's refusal to impose mandatory closures could scupper their chance of insurance claims - though it is not clear whether such an unprecedented situation would be covered by many policies.
(Image: MEN)
Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester's night time economy adviser, said he was 'overwhelmingly disappointed' with the measures announced today and would be pressing the Government to protect businesses in the sector.
"Greater Manchester's bars, clubs, restaurants and nightlife are the heart of our region and I know how devastating this latest news will be to all owners," he said.
"The uncertainty this measure has placed on the hospitality sector is likely to be crippling and I know most, if not all, operators will currently be feeling scared for their futures.
"The move to advise customers to avoid pubs and clubs, rather than implementing an outright closure, combined with no end date, will affect the rights that venue owners have with regards to insurance claims.
"I am in touch with my equivalent Night Economy Advisers across the world and we are one of the only countries not to provide a specific time frame.
"With this in mind, I will be actively talking to Government to try to ensure businesses are able to protect themselves and survive through these trying times, including being able to claim on business interruption insurance.
"I know this will be imperative for some operators, and I want you to know I am and will continue to fight hard to support you. You are not alone."
Sacha said he urged venues to organise and prepare takeaway and delivery facilities if possible; encourage the sale of gift cards; and keep planning and taking bookings for later in the year - asking customers if they would be willing to pay up front in return for discounts.
"As difficult this period will be, we must pull together," he said.
"We must think about the wider community, and protect the lives of the most vulnerable, the ones who need us most. We must be brave enough to take these hits to help combat the spread of coronavirus and protect our staff and customers. Together we can help our sector stay safe, stay well and move through this unprecedented time.
"Lastly, I want to say this: Greater Manchester, we will get through this, but we must come together and fight together. We will recover, but we must be strong and keep faith."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--New advice to everyone who must self-isolate on what you should and shouldn't do

The Government has issued advice for everyone being asked to avoid all 'unnecessary ' social contact amid the coronavirus pandemic .
New guidance for those who are at 'increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 ' was published by Public Health England on Monday evening ( March 16 ) , following an emergency Cobra meeting .
The guidance is for people aged over 70 , anyone aged under 70 with an underlying health condition and pregnant women .
These groups are being 'strongly advised ' to follow social distancing measures and to 'significantly limit ' face-to-face interactions with friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public transport , working from home where possible , avoiding large gatherings and avoiding gatherings with family members .
Under the new advice , these groups are also being 'strongly advised ' to use remote access to NHS and essential services .
Public Health England said it is 'important to speak to others ' and ask them to help make arrangements for the delivery of food , medicines and essentials services .
The Prime Minister said that by the weekend , the particularly vulnerable will be asked to stay at home for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chief medical officer for England , said measures to combat increasing cases would need to be in place for a 'prolonged period ' .
Follow the latest updates from coronavirus outbreak here Prof Whitty added : `` The group of people who we would want to take this advice particularly seriously are older people above 70 , people who in adult life would normally be advised to have the flu vaccination , so these are people with chronic diseases such as chronic heart disease or chronic kidney disease , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are early in our understanding and we want to be sure - women who are pregnant .
`` Those are the groups we want to take particular care to minimise their social contact which of course will have very significant risks for them . ''
He said : `` In a few days time , by this coming weekend it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12-weeks .
`` Again , the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than earlier or later is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions . ''
`` This advice about avoiding all social contact is particularly important for people over 70 , for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions . ''
The current Government advice is that anyone with a high temperature or a persistent cough , or anyone in the same household with them , should stay at home for 14 days .
There have been a total of 1,543 positive tests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday , the Department of Health said .
Officials said 44,105 people have been tested in the UK , of which 42,562 were confirmed negative and 1,543 were confirmed as positive .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
The Government has issued advice for everyone being asked to avoid all 'unnecessary' social contact amid the coronavirus pandemic.
New guidance for those who are at 'increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19' was published by Public Health England on Monday evening (March 16), following an emergency Cobra meeting.
The guidance is for people aged over 70, anyone aged under 70 with an underlying health condition and pregnant women.
These groups are being 'strongly advised' to follow social distancing measures and to 'significantly limit' face-to-face interactions with friends and family.
This includes avoiding non-essential use of public transport, working from home where possible, avoiding large gatherings and avoiding gatherings with family members.
Under the new advice, these groups are also being 'strongly advised' to use remote access to NHS and essential services.
Public Health England said it is 'important to speak to others' and ask them to help make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essentials services.
(Image: Department of Health)
The Prime Minister said that by the weekend, the particularly vulnerable will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks.
And Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said measures to combat increasing cases would need to be in place for a 'prolonged period'.
Prof Whitty added: "The group of people who we would want to take this advice particularly seriously are older people above 70, people who in adult life would normally be advised to have the flu vaccination, so these are people with chronic diseases such as chronic heart disease or chronic kidney disease, and also - as a precautionary measure because we are early in our understanding and we want to be sure - women who are pregnant.
"Those are the groups we want to take particular care to minimise their social contact which of course will have very significant risks for them."
He said: "In a few days time, by this coming weekend it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12-weeks.
"Again, the reason for doing this in the next few days rather than earlier or later is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions."
"This advice about avoiding all social contact is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions."
The current Government advice is that anyone with a high temperature or a persistent cough, or anyone in the same household with them, should stay at home for 14 days.
There have been a total of 1,543 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Monday, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday, the Department of Health said.
Officials said 44,105 people have been tested in the UK, of which 42,562 were confirmed negative and 1,543 were confirmed as positive.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Health and social insiders raise concerns over lack of coronavirus testing

GPs and nurses are being forced to use out-of-date masks to treat suspected coronavirus patients , the M.E.N .
has been told , amid reports that a change in the government ’ s approach to testing last week inadvertently led some hospitals to be overwhelmed .
One senior Greater Manchester GP told the Manchester Evening News it had felt as though the system had been ‘ firefighting ’ in recent days rather than preparing for what is to come .
They said some public protection equipment given to GP practices last week had a 2017 expiry date marked on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of medical wipes locally .
Meanwhile the move away from testing in the community meant the system was just ‘ blindly doing things ’ , they claimed .
Several senior council figures spoken to by the M.E.N .
also raised concerns about the shift away from testing for the virus , despite local authorities having already created swabbing programmes and in some cases having started to develop drive-through tests .
One said they were particularly concerned about the implications for healthcare workers and people in care homes .
They also raised fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knock-on effect on crucial voluntary services such as food banks , which are often run by pensioners .
This afternoon the Prime Minister announced a dramatic ramping-up of ‘ social distancing ’ measures designed to slow the escalation of the virus ’ s spread , including three months of self-isolation for the most vulnerable and a call for everyone else to avoid unnecessary travel or social situations .
The Chief Medical Officer , Chris Whitty , also said there were plans to ‘ scale up ’ testing , as the World Health Organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , test , test ’ .
That came after a change in guidance from Public Health England at the end of last week that meant people who may have coronavirus would no longer be automatically tested .
The senior GP said that had led to a gap in the system in the days that followed , with out-of-hours services finding themselves unable to reliably triage everybody over the phone this weekend - resulting in a surge in people being told to attend hospital .
Read more of today 's top stories here “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GP services over this weekend .
It was a really sh*t weekend , ” they said .
“ What ’ s supposed to happen is if you are speaking to a patient , there ’ s a couple of outcomes - they stay at home , you need an emergency ambulance , or they go to hospital .
“ But the hospitals don ’ t have the capacity.
” That had led contingency planning in some hospitals to ‘ collapse ’ over the weekend , they said , adding that there was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ambulance service have public protection equipment that looks completely different to what we ’ ve been told to use as GPs , ” they said , claiming that some of their equipment had expiry dates written on it from three years ago .
“ And then we ’ ve got healthcare workers saying they ’ re not sure about going to see people as a result .
It ’ s really , really bad.
” Public Health England have been asked about the issue , but referred the M.E.N .
to NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One senior council figure agreed the change in guidance last week had left a question mark .
“ Where current guidance has created a gap or an uncertainty is that we ’ ve moved to an approach where you ’ re no longer tested , ” they said .
“ So the only way you will get a test is if you ’ re ill enough to go to hospital .
People are ringing up expecting a test and they ’ re not getting a test , but they may need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptomatic of a national approach that is to sit at home , isolate and you ’ ll only find out if you have corona if you ’ re sick enough to go to hospital .
So I think the current process doesn ’ t allow for the intermediate bit.
” They said councils had in some cases drawn up detailed and effective community testing programmes that could then be scaled up according to rising demand - including drive-through options .
But when the guidance changed , that left two problems , they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of preparing for who shows up at hospital , because even when 111 were overwhelmed , at least they were getting a sense of geographical density of cases , ” they said .
“ Now people are not being told to ring 111 , so there ’ s no systemic planning for it , people just turn up .
“ The second thing is you don ’ t know how many people have it.
” Another senior council figure agreed : `` These pathways are not sustainable unless the NHS gear up community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'COBRA ' for Greater Manchester is needed to get a Greater Manchester-wide view , which is n't there at the moment . ''
A third figure in another local authority said their plans for community testing had been drawn up in detail but ‘ didn ’ t really get used ’ , although they remain on standby .
They also raised concerns about protection for frontline healthcare workers .
“ There is a problem with public protection equipment and it ’ s particularly how we make sure social care is treated the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” they said .
“ What if you ’ re a domiciliary care worker going into lots of homes ?
I do think that ’ s causing some concern across the system.
” While the government sought this afternoon to reassure the public that extra measures will keep as many people as possible safe , on the ground both medical and council figures remain concerned specifically about how the social care situation will play out .
“ People are firefighting at the moment , ” said the senior GP .
“ Planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to do with social care .
“ And if you ’ re going to do that , there should be screening for frontline staff to make sure you ’ re not infecting people and putting staff at risk as well .
“ In summary , we are dealing with a crisis as it ’ s unfolding , rather than preparing in advance for what ’ s going to happen next.
” Another senior council figure said they expected local authorities to dig ‘ significantly ’ into their reserves in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care .
But they stressed that there was detailed planning taking place , including compiling lists of all known older people not currently in receipt of social care who might need support , such as through food deliveries .
Council figures said communications from Public Health England had been excellent , but that other government departments did not seem to be 'speaking to each other ' , said one , pointing out that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have reportedly still been planning inspections of institutions .
At lunchtime a conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Ministry for Housing and Local Government , council leaders and chief executives , understood to be the first time such an invitation has been extended .
Councils were told to expect further guidance in the coming days , including for hubs in each area designed to ensure those self-isolating will get the support they need .
That also includes guidance for how to help rough sleepers , most of whom are thought to already have respiratory problems , but whose accommodation is often dormitory-style shelters .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
GPs and nurses are being forced to use out-of-date masks to treat suspected coronavirus patients, the M.E.N. has been told, amid reports that a change in the government’s approach to testing last week inadvertently led some hospitals to be overwhelmed.
One senior Greater Manchester GP told the Manchester Evening News it had felt as though the system had been ‘firefighting’ in recent days rather than preparing for what is to come.
They said some public protection equipment given to GP practices last week had a 2017 expiry date marked on it, while on Sunday there was a shortage of medical wipes locally.
Meanwhile the move away from testing in the community meant the system was just ‘blindly doing things’, they claimed.
Several senior council figures spoken to by the M.E.N. also raised concerns about the shift away from testing for the virus, despite local authorities having already created swabbing programmes and in some cases having started to develop drive-through tests.
One said they were particularly concerned about the implications for healthcare workers and people in care homes.
They also raised fears that isolating the over-70s would have a knock-on effect on crucial voluntary services such as food banks, which are often run by pensioners.
This afternoon the Prime Minister announced a dramatic ramping-up of ‘social distancing’ measures designed to slow the escalation of the virus’s spread, including three months of self-isolation for the most vulnerable and a call for everyone else to avoid unnecessary travel or social situations.
(Image: PA)
The Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, also said there were plans to ‘scale up’ testing, as the World Health Organisation warned its key message was ‘test, test, test’.
That came after a change in guidance from Public Health England at the end of last week that meant people who may have coronavirus would no longer be automatically tested.
The senior GP said that had led to a gap in the system in the days that followed, with out-of-hours services finding themselves unable to reliably triage everybody over the phone this weekend - resulting in a surge in people being told to attend hospital.
“111 started passing calls back to out-of-hours GP services over this weekend. It was a really sh*t weekend,” they said.
“What’s supposed to happen is if you are speaking to a patient, there’s a couple of outcomes - they stay at home, you need an emergency ambulance, or they go to hospital.
“But the hospitals don’t have the capacity.”
That had led contingency planning in some hospitals to ‘collapse’ over the weekend, they said, adding that there was an additional concern for the frontline.
“The ambulance service have public protection equipment that looks completely different to what we’ve been told to use as GPs,” they said, claiming that some of their equipment had expiry dates written on it from three years ago.
(Image: PA)
“And then we’ve got healthcare workers saying they’re not sure about going to see people as a result. It’s really, really bad.”
Public Health England have been asked about the issue, but referred the M.E.N. to NHS England, which is yet to respond.
One senior council figure agreed the change in guidance last week had left a question mark.
“Where current guidance has created a gap or an uncertainty is that we’ve moved to an approach where you’re no longer tested,” they said.
“So the only way you will get a test is if you’re ill enough to go to hospital. People are ringing up expecting a test and they’re not getting a test, but they may need a clinical assessment.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s symptomatic of a national approach that is to sit at home, isolate and you’ll only find out if you have corona if you’re sick enough to go to hospital. So I think the current process doesn’t allow for the intermediate bit.”
They said councils had in some cases drawn up detailed and effective community testing programmes that could then be scaled up according to rising demand - including drive-through options.
But when the guidance changed, that left two problems, they said.
“There’s no way of preparing for who shows up at hospital, because even when 111 were overwhelmed, at least they were getting a sense of geographical density of cases,” they said.
“Now people are not being told to ring 111, so there’s no systemic planning for it, people just turn up.
“The second thing is you don’t know how many people have it.”
Another senior council figure agreed: "These pathways are not sustainable unless the NHS gear up community testing provisions. I also think a 'COBRA' for Greater Manchester is needed to get a Greater Manchester-wide view, which isn't there at the moment."
A third figure in another local authority said their plans for community testing had been drawn up in detail but ‘didn’t really get used’, although they remain on standby.
(Image: PA Graphics)
They also raised concerns about protection for frontline healthcare workers.
“There is a problem with public protection equipment and it’s particularly how we make sure social care is treated the same as the NHS, particularly care homes,” they said.
“What if you’re a domiciliary care worker going into lots of homes? I do think that’s causing some concern across the system.”
While the government sought this afternoon to reassure the public that extra measures will keep as many people as possible safe, on the ground both medical and council figures remain concerned specifically about how the social care situation will play out.
“People are firefighting at the moment,” said the senior GP. “Planning for next week will be what we’re going to do with social care.
“And if you’re going to do that, there should be screening for frontline staff to make sure you’re not infecting people and putting staff at risk as well.
“In summary, we are dealing with a crisis as it’s unfolding, rather than preparing in advance for what’s going to happen next.”
Another senior council figure said they expected local authorities to dig ‘significantly’ into their reserves in order to deal with the knock-on effects on social care.
(Image: PA)
But they stressed that there was detailed planning taking place, including compiling lists of all known older people not currently in receipt of social care who might need support, such as through food deliveries.
Council figures said communications from Public Health England had been excellent, but that other government departments did not seem to be 'speaking to each other', said one, pointing out that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have reportedly still been planning inspections of institutions.
At lunchtime a conference call about the coronavirus response was held between the Ministry for Housing and Local Government, council leaders and chief executives, understood to be the first time such an invitation has been extended.
Councils were told to expect further guidance in the coming days, including for hubs in each area designed to ensure those self-isolating will get the support they need.
That also includes guidance for how to help rough sleepers, most of whom are thought to already have respiratory problems, but whose accommodation is often dormitory-style shelters.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Diogo Dalot makes Bruno Fernandes Manchester United prediction

Diogo Dalot believes that his fellow countryman Bruno Fernandes is going to become a legend at Manchester United .
Fernandes only arrived at the club towards the end of the January transfer window from Sporting for £47m but already looks like a bargain .
The Portuguese has already become a firm fan favourite among the Old Trafford terraces and he has given United an instant lift , with the club yet to lose a game in which he ’ s played .
His passing , skill and leadership have made United a better team and he has also managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just nine games .
Defender Dalot thinks he ’ s only going to get better .
“ He ’ s a top guy , a top player .
He is going to be a legend , ” Dalot told the “ He ’ s unbelievable , he can be better of course as well .
He ’ s going to learn a lot from this club .
`` I think he is a massive player to have in this team and he ’ s going to be a very good player for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ( a legend ) , no doubt about that .
“ He was the captain at Sporting , of course he ’ s an experienced player as well , 25 years old , he ’ s played in , he played in as well .
He knows what he is doing .
It ’ s going to be very good for him .
”

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Lee Swettenham, Daniel Murphy)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Diogo Dalot believes that his fellow countryman Bruno Fernandes is going to become a legend at Manchester United.
Fernandes only arrived at the club towards the end of the January transfer window from Sporting for £47m but already looks like a bargain.
The Portuguese has already become a firm fan favourite among the Old Trafford terraces and he has given United an instant lift, with the club yet to lose a game in which he’s played.
His passing, skill and leadership have made United a better team and he has also managed to score three goals and grab four assists in just nine games.
Defender Dalot thinks he’s only going to get better.
“He’s a top guy, a top player. He is going to be a legend,” Dalot told the United Podcast.
“He’s unbelievable, he can be better of course as well. He’s going to learn a lot from this club.
"I think he is a massive player to have in this team and he’s going to be a very good player for this club. He’s going to be (a legend), no doubt about that.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--The problem Guardiola must fix for Man City to close gap on Liverpool

The Premier League ’ s current football hiatus has given teams an opportunity to take stock of their season , analyse success stories and identify areas to improve .
Manchester City currently sit second in the table but 25 points behind leaders Liverpool .
That mammoth lead for the Merseysiders means that when the season does recommence , City are sure to lose their league title crown .
This will no doubt lead to a post-mortem at the end of the campaign , although it ’ s likely that the same would have already started between Pep Guardiola and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to look at the league table based on Expected Points ( xP ) , Liverpool would sit second in the table on 59.81 , with City top boasting a total of 63.21 .
A big contributing factor to Liverpool ’ s overperformance in xP has been their standout defensive numbers .
Liverpool have conceded just 21 league goals this season , despite their Expected Goals Against ( xGA ) of 28.69 indicating that they should have conceded closer to 29 goals .
City on the other hand , have an xGA of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , conceding 31 league goals so far this season .
The difference in performance levels between the two sides is a conundrum .
What could explain it ?
Are Liverpool lucky , have Manchester City been really unlucky ?
To ascertain a better explanation , we have to look beyond the xG metrics .
xG is a great analysis tool , but it is worth remembering that most models can be limited .
This is because it measures characteristics of a shot such as the assist type , the distance from goal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t take into account elements such as goalkeeper positioning and defensive pressure .
With that in mind , the below is a chart that measures the percentage of each Premier League team 's shots against that have hit the target vs the number of opposition passes completed within 20 yards of the goal .
The idea of the above is to highlight those teams that are difficult to breakdown and are most likely applying plenty of pressure on attackers in and around the final third , meaning that they struggle to hit accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Liverpool and Manchester City , both sides tend to limit their opponents to very few final third passes and they also face a similar amount of shots .
However , opponents find much greater success in hitting the target with shots against City when compared to Liverpool .
Help shape our coverage over the coronavirus crisis by completing this survey : More than 42 per cent of City ’ s shots against this season have hit the target , compared to just over 30pc for Jurgen Klopp ’ s side .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around the penalty area , Liverpool do a much better job of applying pressure on their opponents , forcing less accurate efforts on goal .
All of the above indicates that Liverpool ’ s dominance in this area is less about luck and instead more likely down to better all-round defending .
It also highlights an obvious area where Guardiola ’ s side needs to improve in the summer .
A focus on getting back on the right side of those xG totals next year will be key to City reclaiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (David Alexander Hughes)

The Premier League’s current football hiatus has given teams an opportunity to take stock of their season, analyse success stories and identify areas to improve.
Manchester City currently sit second in the table but 25 points behind leaders Liverpool. That mammoth lead for the Merseysiders means that when the season does recommence, City are sure to lose their league title crown.
This will no doubt lead to a post-mortem at the end of the campaign, although it’s likely that the same would have already started between Pep Guardiola and his staff. Interestingly though, if you were to look at the league table based on Expected Points (xP), Liverpool would sit second in the table on 59.81, with City top boasting a total of 63.21.
A big contributing factor to Liverpool’s overperformance in xP has been their standout defensive numbers. Liverpool have conceded just 21 league goals this season, despite their Expected Goals Against (xGA) of 28.69 indicating that they should have conceded closer to 29 goals. City on the other hand, have an xGA of just 27.87, yet they have underperformed, conceding 31 league goals so far this season.
The difference in performance levels between the two sides is a conundrum. What could explain it? Are Liverpool lucky, have Manchester City been really unlucky? To ascertain a better explanation, we have to look beyond the xG metrics.
xG is a great analysis tool, but it is worth remembering that most models can be limited. This is because it measures characteristics of a shot such as the assist type, the distance from goal and the location. But it doesn’t take into account elements such as goalkeeper positioning and defensive pressure.
With that in mind, the below is a chart that measures the percentage of each Premier League team's shots against that have hit the target vs the number of opposition passes completed within 20 yards of the goal.
(Image: @DAHughes_)
The idea of the above is to highlight those teams that are difficult to breakdown and are most likely applying plenty of pressure on attackers in and around the final third, meaning that they struggle to hit accurate shots on goal.
In the case of Liverpool and Manchester City, both sides tend to limit their opponents to very few final third passes and they also face a similar amount of shots. However, opponents find much greater success in hitting the target with shots against City when compared to Liverpool.
Help shape our coverage over the coronavirus crisis by completing this survey:
More than 42 per cent of City’s shots against this season have hit the target, compared to just over 30pc for Jurgen Klopp’s side. This could, therefore, highlight that in and around the penalty area, Liverpool do a much better job of applying pressure on their opponents, forcing less accurate efforts on goal.
All of the above indicates that Liverpool’s dominance in this area is less about luck and instead more likely down to better all-round defending. It also highlights an obvious area where Guardiola’s side needs to improve in the summer.
A focus on getting back on the right side of those xG totals next year will be key to City reclaiming the Premier League title from near their league rivals.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Urgent warning for those with coronavirus symptoms NOT to take ibuprofen

People suffering with coronavirus are being warned not to take ibuprofen to treat symtoms .
The first warning came a couple of days ago from France 's health minister , Olivier Veran , who happens to be a qualified doctor .
He wrote : `` Anti-inflammatories ( ibuprofen , cortisone … ) could aggravate the infection .
If you have a fever , take paracetamol . ''
And it 's a message now being shared by others in the medical profession and by parents Dan Collins and Maddie Milneer-Collins , whose daughter Amelia 's condition deteriorated when she was given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moving Facebook post , Amelia 's stepdad Dan shared a photo of the poorly four-year-old and warned : `` To those of you that have children please read .
If your child has symptoms of coronavirus , DO NOT give them ibuprofen . ''
Dan says Amelia had been unwell since Tuesday with a cough , fever and cold .
With those symptoms and a rising temperature they called 111 , who said they 'd send out paramedics within two hours to check on her .
In the meantime , unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple gave her ibuprofen instead .
And that 's when her condition worsened drastically .
`` Within an hour of giving it to her , she dropped dramatically , '' said Dan .
`` She was panting while trying to breathe , her heart rate was very rapid , she couldn ’ t keep her eyes open , couldn ’ t lift her head up , her body was shaking , she started being sick on herself and her temperature had risen to 39.4 !
`` We called back up and they sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paramedics got here they managed to bring her temp and stats down a bit , they ’ re still higher than normal but not dangerous high anymore .
`` Now she ’ s back on Calpol , she ’ s back to just being her poorly self .
`` The paramedics only told us while here that we 're not to give her ibuprofen . ''
He added : `` The paramedic said about self isolating and calling back if her temp rises that high again , so I asked if it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s already been 5 days but they said that as she has all symptoms we 're to keep her isolated until all symptoms are gone .
`` So please don ’ t give them ibuprofen ! ''
warned Dan , from Bristol .
Now medics in the UK are repeating the French minister 's warning .
Dr Amir Khan , star of the Channel 5 show GPs Behind Closed Doors , has written about it in Al Jazeera .
He says that despite anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen being important drugs that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain , different types of arthritis , headaches , sore throats and colds , they 'can have a depressive effect on parts of our immune systems ' - and that is where the danger lies with coronavirus .
`` When it comes to taking them to help ease the symptoms of the common cold , we do not really have to worry about this slight but important reduction in the strength of our immune systems : We are very unlikely to develop complications from the common cold , let alone die from it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need our immune system in top working order in order to battle the coronavirus and win . ''
He explains that when the virus enters our body , it induces mild to severe respiratory problems , a high fever , cough and , potentially , multi-organ dysfunction , which can lead to death .
Our bodies release mast cells in response to the virus - which are released very quickly from our respiratory tract - and when they come into contact with the virus , they then trigger ' a much bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being released ' .
`` We need these inflammatory chemicals to help tackle the virus in the medium to long term , '' said Dr Khan .
`` It is the effectiveness of these chemicals that decides whether a person develops complications from the coronavirus or makes a full recovery .
`` If we take medicines that dampen this immune response , such as ibuprofen , this can lead to us not fighting off the infection as effectively , potentially leading to a longer illness with a higher risk of complications . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on commonly used anti-inflammatories to help manage crippling pain and long-term health conditions and often it 's the only thing they can use .
So anyone taking them on a regular basis needs to discuss any changes with their doctor first .
Amelia 's mum Maddie , also mum to eight-year-old Katie , says she 's 'never seen her daughter as poorly in her life ' and they are now self-isolating .
Speaking to the M.E.N 's Manchester Family , she said : `` I had her in bed with me last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her , she was up all night coughing and wheezing and with a high fever still , today has been the same .
`` She has every symptom and reacted badly when given ibuprofen , which would point to the virus .
`` She ’ s also been ill for seven days now and shows no sign of being better , but with them not testing we won ’ t know if it is for definite or not .
`` They did n't mention testing , as I ’ m aware if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and self isolate then they aren ’ t testing , they ’ re only testing those with underlying health conditions that are ending up admitted to hospital with it .
`` When they left her heart and breathing rate were still up and her temperature had gone down to 38.4 , which is still high , but not dangerously high like it was .
They said even though her stats are still up they ’ re happy for me to self isolate her and manage it from home .
`` We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms are gone and hope she gets better soon . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
People suffering with coronavirus are being warned not to take ibuprofen to treat symptoms.
The first warning came a couple of days ago from France's health minister, Olivier Veran, who happens to be a qualified doctor.
He wrote: "Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, cortisone …) could aggravate the infection. If you have a fever, take paracetamol."
And it's a message now being shared by others in the medical profession and by parents Dan Collins and Maddie Milner-Collins, whose daughter Amelia's condition deteriorated when she was given the drug at the weekend.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In a moving Facebook post, Amelia's stepdad Dan shared a photo of the poorly four-year-old and warned: "To those of you that have children please read. If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, DO NOT give them ibuprofen."
Dan says Amelia had been unwell since Tuesday with a cough, fever and cold.
With those symptoms and a rising temperature they called 111, who said they'd send out paramedics within two hours to check on her.
In the meantime, unable to get hold of any Calpol, the couple gave her ibuprofen instead. And that's when her condition worsened drastically.
"Within an hour of giving it to her, she dropped dramatically," said Dan.
"She was panting while trying to breathe, her heart rate was very rapid, she couldn’t keep her eyes open, couldn’t lift her head up, her body was shaking, she started being sick on herself and her temperature had risen to 39.4!
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"We called back up and they sent out an emergency ambulance, once the paramedics got here they managed to bring her temp and stats down a bit, they’re still higher than normal but not dangerous high anymore.
"Now she’s back on Calpol, she’s back to just being her poorly self.
"The paramedics only told us while here that we're not to give her ibuprofen."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
He added: "The paramedic said about self isolating and calling back if her temp rises that high again, so I asked if it’s just for the 7 days as it’s already been 5 days but they said that as she has all symptoms we're to keep her isolated until all symptoms are gone.
"So please don’t give them ibuprofen!" warned Dan, from Bristol.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Now medics in the UK are repeating the French minister's warning.
Dr Amir Khan, star of the Channel 5 show GPs Behind Closed Doors, has written about it in Al Jazeera.
He says that despite anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen being important drugs that are used by millions of people to treat pain, different types of arthritis, headaches, sore throats and colds, they 'can have a depressive effect on parts of our immune systems' - and that is where the danger lies with coronavirus.
"When it comes to taking them to help ease the symptoms of the common cold, we do not really have to worry about this slight but important reduction in the strength of our immune systems: We are very unlikely to develop complications from the common cold, let alone die from it," he said.
"But we need our immune system in top working order in order to battle the coronavirus and win."
He explains that when the virus enters our body, it induces mild to severe respiratory problems, a high fever, cough and, potentially, multi-organ dysfunction, which can lead to death.
Our bodies release mast cells in response to the virus - which are released very quickly from our respiratory tract - and when they come into contact with the virus, they then trigger 'a much bigger immune response, which involves inflammatory chemicals being released'.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"We need these inflammatory chemicals to help tackle the virus in the medium to long term," said Dr Khan.
"It is the effectiveness of these chemicals that decides whether a person develops complications from the coronavirus or makes a full recovery.
"If we take medicines that dampen this immune response, such as ibuprofen, this can lead to us not fighting off the infection as effectively, potentially leading to a longer illness with a higher risk of complications."
He does however stress that some people rely on commonly used anti-inflammatories to help manage crippling pain and long-term health conditions and often it's the only thing they can use.
So anyone taking them on a regular basis needs to discuss any changes with their doctor first.
Amelia's mum Maddie, also mum to eight-year-old Katie, says she's 'never seen her daughter as poorly in her life' and they are now self-isolating.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Speaking to the M.E.N's Manchester Family, she said: "I had her in bed with me last night so I could keep an eye on her, she was up all night coughing and wheezing and with a high fever still, today has been the same.
"She has every symptom and reacted badly when given ibuprofen, which would point to the virus.
"She’s also been ill for seven days now and shows no sign of being better, but with them not testing we won’t know if it is for definite or not.
"They didn't mention testing, as I’m aware if you’re well enough to stay home and self isolate then they aren’t testing, they’re only testing those with underlying health conditions that are ending up admitted to hospital with it.
"When they left her heart and breathing rate were still up and her temperature had gone down to 38.4, which is still high, but not dangerously high like it was. They said even though her stats are still up they’re happy for me to self isolate her and manage it from home.
"We’re just to do that until all symptoms are gone and hope she gets better soon."
What Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS say.
PHE said that most people with Covid-19 will have a mild illness and some people may need to take medicines, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with raised temperature, headache and other pains.
They said there is not enough information on ibuprofen use and the coronavirus to advise people to stop using the drug.
A spokesperson said: “Currently there is no published scientific evidence that ibuprofen increases the risk of catching Covid-19 or makes the illness worse. There is also no conclusive evidence that taking ibuprofen is harmful for other respiratory infections.”
The NHS website currently states : "There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (COVID-19) worse.
"But until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.
"If you are already taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) on the advice of a doctor, do not stop taking it without checking first."
Government issued guidance states: "Until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.
"We are aware there has been concern spreading about the use of ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) in relation to COVID-19.
However, there is currently no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus. This includes:
*the link between ibuprofen and the likelihood of contracting the virus
*the link between ibuprofen and the worsening of coronavirus symptoms


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Man Utd look for Donny van de Beek deal and more transfer rumours

Manchester United are looking to steal Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek away from Real Madrid , according to reports .
Following successes in the last two transfer windows , United will once again be looking to strengthen their squad in the summer .
The midfield and flanks are priority positions with the likes of Jadon Sancho , Jack Grealish , James Maddison and Jude Bellingham all targets .
United have also heavily scouted Dutch playmaker Van de Beek and , according to Spanish publication they may make a last-ditch effort to sign him .
The 22-year-old rose to stardom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ajax ’ s great Champions League run and he has continued his form this season with 10 goals and 11 assists .
It ’ s reported that Madrid have an agreement to bring Van de Beek to the Bernabeu in the summer but that United may try and pry him away .
However , the report states that United will only be able to sign him if Madrid renounce their agreement with the player .
Meanwhile , Odion Ighalo is reportedly willing to sacrifice £6million to remain at Manchester United .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the on-loan Shanghai Shenhua striker wants to join United on a permanent deal .
Ighalo has had a great start to life at Old Trafford , scoring four goals in just three starts for the club and has looked threatening whenever coming off the bench in Premier League matches .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested United will consider making the switch a permanent one , with the report going on to claim Ighalo will take a 50 per cent wage reduction to secure the move to his boyhood club .
Finally , Harry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United this summer over Man City .
That is according to a report from TribalFootball , via the , which says Tottenham insiders believe the England captain favours a move to United over City if he decides to leave Spurs this summer .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Manchester United are looking to steal Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek away from Real Madrid, according to reports.
Following successes in the last two transfer windows, United will once again be looking to strengthen their squad in the summer.
The midfield and flanks are priority positions with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Jude Bellingham all targets.
United have also heavily scouted Dutch playmaker Van de Beek and, according to Spanish publication Marca, they may make a last-ditch effort to sign him.
The 22-year-old rose to stardom last season as an integral part of Ajax’s great Champions League run and he has continued his form this season with 10 goals and 11 assists.
It’s reported that Madrid have an agreement to bring Van de Beek to the Bernabeu in the summer but that United may try and pry him away.
However, the report states that United will only be able to sign him if Madrid renounce their agreement with the player.
Meanwhile, Odion Ighalo is reportedly willing to sacrifice £6million to remain at Manchester United.
That’s according to The Sun , who report that the on-loan Shanghai Shenhua striker wants to join United on a permanent deal.
Ighalo has had a great start to life at Old Trafford, scoring four goals in just three starts for the club and has looked threatening whenever coming off the bench in Premier League matches.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested United will consider making the switch a permanent one, with the report going on to claim Ighalo will take a 50 per cent wage reduction to secure the move to his boyhood club.
Finally, Harry Kane would prefer a move to Manchester United this summer over Man City.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Can you walk your dog and go outside if you are self-isolating from coronavirus?

The public have been told to avoid non-essential social contact - particularly those who are vulnerable - as the Government outlines new measures to tackle coronavirus .
Speaking at a press conference after an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon , Boris Johnson issued a series of new guidance such as working from home and avoiding pubs , clubs and theatres .
In more extreme measures , groups particularly vulnerable to coronavirus will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks by the weekend .
The advice for those showing symptoms of Covid-19 have also changed to cover entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly dog owners , wondering if they were in self-isolation , if they are allowed to leave their homes to walk their pets .
Tory backbencher Dean Russell ( Watford ) asked whether pet owners will be able to walk their animals if they are forced to self-isolate in the Commons on Monday afternoon .
The Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in response : `` People should go outside .
Yes , walk your pets , but , if you 're in household isolation , do go outside but try to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that we look out for each other as communities and people do get the exercise that they need . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
The public have been told to avoid non-essential social contact - particularly those who are vulnerable - as the Government outlines new measures to tackle coronavirus.
Speaking at a press conference after an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday afternoon, Boris Johnson issued a series of new guidance such as working from home and avoiding pubs, clubs and theatres.
In more extreme measures, groups particularly vulnerable to coronavirus will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks by the weekend.
The advice for those showing symptoms of Covid-19 have also changed to cover entire households.
But it has left some, particularly dog owners, wondering if they were in self-isolation, if they are allowed to leave their homes to walk their pets.
Tory backbencher Dean Russell (Watford) asked whether pet owners will be able to walk their animals if they are forced to self-isolate in the Commons on Monday afternoon.
The Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in response: "People should go outside. Yes, walk your pets, but, if you're in household isolation, do go outside but try to avoid other people.
"It's very important that we look out for each other as communities and people do get the exercise that they need."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Man panicked and ditched assassin's kit in garden after police raid

An 'assassin 's kit ' containing a gun , bullets , dark clothing , gloves and a balaclava were found in a rucksack thrown into a garden in Salford .
Police were called after a member of the public found the bag in Ordsall .
A judge said he was satisfied that the gun would most likely be used to murder or maim .
Craig Taberer , 33 , has been jailed for 12 years after his fingerprint was found on the gun .
Manchester Crown Court heard that officers were called after a resident reported finding a rucksack at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to contain a firearm .
It was thought to be a Glock pistol , but examinations found it was actually a Turkish-manufactured Zoraki model designed for firing blanks .
The gun had been painted over with the markings of a Glock .
The barrel of the gun had been modified , so it could fire 9mm bullets .
Also discovered in the rucksack were seven such bullets , which were found to be live ammunition .
A silencer was in the bag , to be used with the firearm .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair of black Nike trousers , black gloves and a black balaclava .
`` It is not an exaggeration for the police to have described this as an assassin ’ s kit , '' Judge Richard Mansell QC said .
The judge added : `` It is clear that these items and the rucksack were the property of serious organised criminals , and that they were intended for use in serious organised crime .
`` The finding of the silencer with this firearm and ammunition lead me to conclude that murder , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rival organised criminal or criminals , was the most likely use to which it would be put . ''
It 's thought that the bag had been thrown over a fence earlier that morning , on October 9 last year .
At about 7am , police had executed a search warrant at a property nearby .
The judge said it was an 'obvious inference ' that Taberer had moved the rucksack from where it was being kept , and temporarily left it in the garden before planning to retrieve it later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 1pm with another man , before leaving after realising the bag had gone .
His fingerprint was found on the gun , and his DNA on the balaclava .
After being arrested , Taberer told police that he had been approached by some men the previous night , who put a firearm in the rucksack .
In panic , he rode around the threw the bag into a garden , Taberer claimed .
But the judge said this was a 'desperate lie ' .
The court heard that the rucksack was dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting the rucksack had been left there in the morning , rather than the night before .
`` I am satisfied that you have become involved with those who are engaged in organised criminal activity in the area where you have lived and grown up , '' the judge said .
The court heard there was no evidence that the gun or silencer had been used in crime , or that Taberer had fired it .
Taberer pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endanger life .
Defending , Virginia Hayton told the court that Taberer 'panicked ' when he 'ditched ' the bag .
He has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following the murder of his father in 2003 , Ms Hayton said .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city
An 'assassin's kit' containing a gun, bullets, dark clothing, gloves and a balaclava were found in a rucksack thrown into a garden in Salford.
Police were called after a member of the public found the bag in Ordsall.
A judge said he was satisfied that the gun would most likely be used to murder or maim.
Craig Taberer, 33, has been jailed for 12 years after his fingerprint was found on the gun.
Manchester Crown Court heard that officers were called after a resident reported finding a rucksack at the rear of their property, which appeared to contain a firearm.
(Image: Facebook)
It was thought to be a Glock pistol, but examinations found it was actually a Turkish-manufactured Zoraki model designed for firing blanks.
The gun had been painted over with the markings of a Glock.
The barrel of the gun had been modified, so it could fire 9mm bullets.
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Also discovered in the rucksack were seven such bullets, which were found to be live ammunition.
A silencer was in the bag, to be used with the firearm.
It also contained a black Nike jacket, a pair of black Nike trousers, black gloves and a black balaclava.
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
"It is not an exaggeration for the police to have described this as an assassin’s kit," Judge Richard Mansell QC said.
The judge added: "It is clear that these items and the rucksack were the property of serious organised criminals, and that they were intended for use in serious organised crime.
"The finding of the silencer with this firearm and ammunition lead me to conclude that murder, or at the very least maiming, of a rival organised criminal or criminals, was the most likely use to which it would be put."
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
It's thought that the bag had been thrown over a fence earlier that morning, on October 9 last year.
At about 7am, police had executed a search warrant at a property nearby.
The judge said it was an 'obvious inference' that Taberer had moved the rucksack from where it was being kept, and temporarily left it in the garden before planning to retrieve it later.
Taberer, a father-of-four, returned at about 1pm with another man, before leaving after realising the bag had gone.
His fingerprint was found on the gun, and his DNA on the balaclava.
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
After being arrested, Taberer told police that he had been approached by some men the previous night, who put a firearm in the rucksack.
In panic, he rode around the threw the bag into a garden, Taberer claimed.
But the judge said this was a 'desperate lie'.
The court heard that the rucksack was dry.
It had been raining overnight, suggesting the rucksack had been left there in the morning, rather than the night before.
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
"I am satisfied that you have become involved with those who are engaged in organised criminal activity in the area where you have lived and grown up," the judge said.
The court heard there was no evidence that the gun or silencer had been used in crime, or that Taberer had fired it.
Taberer pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one count of possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Defending, Virginia Hayton told the court that Taberer 'panicked' when he 'ditched' the bag.
He has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following the murder of his father in 2003, Ms Hayton said.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Wythenshawe is pulling together to help most vulnerable in face of coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has seen thousands of people unnecessarily stockpile amid fear of having to self-isolate .
Shelves are empty of essential items , some supermarkets have been forced to shut temporarily , and shoppers have faced unprecedented queues .
Instead of adding to the panic , the Wythenshawe community is pulling together to ensure the most vulnerable people are kept safe during testing times .
A Facebook group has been set up by a handful of local residents , to organise how the community can help .
The Wythenshawe COVID-19 community support group has seen over 2,500 members join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its aim is to drop off basic and urgent supplies , arrange school picks ups and drop offs where needed , help people get to appointments and collect prescriptions .
A dedicated mobile phone number is being shared across the estate , to help those most vulnerable .
The group has been flooded with generous offers , from taking an elderly woman to the hospital , to advising mum 's on where they can find baby formula .
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , the group admin , who wished to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw a few friends saying they could n't find essential items for their kids .
`` Me and my other friend just offered to help each other out and I had an idea to set up a group , to see if other people in the community needed any help .
`` I made the group on Friday afternoon and now the group has 2,400 members .
`` It has got way bigger than I expected . ''
The group organiser said the biggest problem facing Wythenshawe residents currently , is the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said she could n't find a particular formula for her disabled baby , was met with advice from other parents about where it might be in stock .
`` There are lots of people who are worried about the elderly , '' the organiser added .
`` Especially with them having to self-isolate for months - they are not going to be able to get essential items .
`` We 've got a dedicated mobile phone because not everyone has social media .
`` That number has been put on a flyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it through people 's letter boxes .
`` If people need help they can ring that number and we will get together to see how we can help .
`` It 's just about us all pulling together . ''
The group admin says she has also asked people to put a note through neighbour 's doors to see if they can help going forward .
There is also advice for domestic abuse help lines , for anyone having to isolate with a violent partner or family member .
`` People have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There are so many people out there panic buying and it 's not just elderly people that it 's affecting .
`` People just need to calm down and think about each other . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
The coronavirus pandemic has seen thousands of people unnecessarily stockpile amid fear of having to self-isolate.
Shelves are empty of essential items, some supermarkets have been forced to shut temporarily, and shoppers have faced unprecedented queues.
Instead of adding to the panic, the Wythenshawe community is pulling together to ensure the most vulnerable people are kept safe during testing times.
A Facebook group has been set up by a handful of local residents, to organise how the community can help.
The Wythenshawe COVID-19 community support group has seen over 2,500 members join since its launch on Friday afternoon.
Its aim is to drop off basic and urgent supplies, arrange school picks ups and drop offs where needed, help people get to appointments and collect prescriptions.
(Image: Lisa Roland)
A dedicated mobile phone number is being shared across the estate, to help those most vulnerable.
The group has been flooded with generous offers, from taking an elderly woman to the hospital, to advising mum's on where they can find baby formula.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the group admin, who wished to remain anonymous said: "On Friday I saw a few friends saying they couldn't find essential items for their kids.
"Me and my other friend just offered to help each other out and I had an idea to set up a group, to see if other people in the community needed any help.
"I made the group on Friday afternoon and now the group has 2,400 members.
"It has got way bigger than I expected."
(Image: MEN Media)
The group organiser said the biggest problem facing Wythenshawe residents currently, is the lack of available baby formula.
One mum who said she couldn't find a particular formula for her disabled baby, was met with advice from other parents about where it might be in stock.
"There are lots of people who are worried about the elderly," the organiser added.
"Especially with them having to self-isolate for months - they are not going to be able to get essential items.
"We've got a dedicated mobile phone because not everyone has social media.
"That number has been put on a flyer and people have been volunteering to put it through people's letter boxes.
(Image: Media Wales John Myers)
"If people need help they can ring that number and we will get together to see how we can help.
"It's just about us all pulling together."
The group admin says she has also asked people to put a note through neighbour's doors to see if they can help going forward.
There is also advice for domestic abuse help lines, for anyone having to isolate with a violent partner or family member.
"People have been so generous," she said.
"There are so many people out there panic buying and it's not just elderly people that it's affecting.
"People just need to calm down and think about each other."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Boris Johnson's speech in full as 'drastic measures' are introduced

Boris Johnson has issued 'drastic measures ' following an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday .
It comes after 1,543 people were confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK - however it is estimated that many more have been infected .
It has also now been confirmed that 55 people have died after contracting the virus .
The Prime Minister addressed the public in a press conference following the committee meeting alongside the Government 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance .
During the conference , Boris Johnson introduced four new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This including stopping non-essential contact by working from home and avoiding pubs , clubs and theatres .
In more extreme measures , groups particularly vulnerable to coronavirus will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks by the weekend .
This is what the Prime Minister said in full during the press conference on Monday : '' Good afternoon everybody , thank you very much for coming .
I wanted to bring everyone up to date with the national fight back against the new coronavirus and the decisions that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole of the UK .
As we said last week , our objective is to delay and flatten the peak of the epidemic by bringing forward the right measures at the right time , so that we minimise suffering and save lives .
And everything we do is based scrupulously on the best scientific advice .
Last week we asked everyone to stay at home if you had one of two key symptoms : a high temperature or a new and continuous cough .
Today , we need to go further , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group for Emergencies ] it looks as though we ’ re now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve .
And without drastic action , cases could double every 5 or 6 days .
So , first , we need to ask you to ensure that if you or anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms , then you should stay at home for fourteen days .
That means that if possible you should not go out even to buy food or essentials , other than for exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe distance from others .
If necessary , you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities .
For the latest on the outbreak , follow our coronavirus live updates here .
And if that is not possible , then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies .
And even if you don ’ t have symptoms and if no one in your household has symptoms , there is more that we need you to do now .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel .
We need people to start working from home where they possibly can .
And you should avoid pubs , clubs , theatres and other such social venues .
It goes without saying , we should all only use the NHS when we really need to .
And please go online rather than ringing NHS 111.Now , this advice about avoiding all unnecessary social contact , is particularly important for people over 70 , for pregnant women and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ask , why are we doing this now , why now , why not earlier , or later ?
Why bring in this very draconian measure ?
The answer is that we are asking people to do something that is difficult and disruptive of their lives .
And the right moment , as we ’ ve always said , is to do it when it is most effective , when we think it can make the biggest difference to slowing the spread of the disease , reducing the number of victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And as we take these steps we should be focusing on the most vulnerable .
So third , in a few days ’ time – by this coming weekend – it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks .
And again the reason for doing this in the next few days , rather than earlier or later , is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I believe , it ’ s now necessary .
And we want to ensure that this period of shielding , this period of maximum protection coincides with the peak of the disease .
And it ’ s now clear that the peak of the epidemic is coming faster in some parts of the country than in others .
And it looks as though London is now a few weeks ahead .
So , to relieve the pressure on the London health system and to slow the spread in London , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to what we are saying about avoiding non-essential contact , and to take particularly seriously the advice about working from home , and avoiding confined spaces such as pubs and restaurants .
Lastly , it remains true as we have said in the last few weeks that risks of transmission of the disease at mass gatherings such as sporting events are relatively low .
But obviously , logically as we advise against unnecessary social contact of all kinds , it is right that we should extend this advice to mass gatherings as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also got to ensure that we have the critical workers we need , that might otherwise be deployed at those gatherings , to deal with this emergency .
So from tomorrow , we will no longer be supporting mass gatherings with emergency workers in the way that we normally do .
So mass gatherings , we are now moving emphatically away from .
And I know that many people – including millions of fit and active people over 70 – may feel , listening to what I have just said , that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I have to say , I believe that they are overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of the disease , to reduce the peak , to save life , minimise suffering and to give our NHS the chance to cope .
Over the last few days , I have been comparing notes and talking to leaders around the world and I can tell you that the UK is now leading a growing global campaign amongst all our friends and allies , whether in the G7 , the G20 , the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which we play a significant role .
We ’ re leading a campaign to fight back against this disease .
To keep the economy growing , to make sure that humanity has access to the drugs and the treatments that we all need , and the UK is also at the front of the effort to back business , to back our economy , to make sure that we get through it .
I know that today we are asking a lot of everybody .
It is far more now than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands remains important .
But I can tell you that across this country , people and businesses in my experience are responding with amazing energy and creativity to the challenge that we face , and I want to thank everybody for the part that you are playing and are going to play . ''

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Boris Johnson has issued 'drastic measures' following an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday.
It comes after 1,543 people were confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK - however it is estimated that many more have been infected.
It has also now been confirmed that 55 people have died after contracting the virus.
The Prime Minister addressed the public in a press conference following the committee meeting alongside the Government's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance.
During the conference, Boris Johnson introduced four new measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
This including stopping non-essential contact by working from home and avoiding pubs, clubs and theatres.
In more extreme measures, groups particularly vulnerable to coronavirus will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks by the weekend.
(Image: PA)
This is what the Prime Minister said in full during the press conference on Monday:
"Good afternoon everybody, thank you very much for coming.
I wanted to bring everyone up to date with the national fight back against the new coronavirus and the decisions that we’ve just taken in COBR for the whole of the UK.
As we said last week, our objective is to delay and flatten the peak of the epidemic by bringing forward the right measures at the right time, so that we minimise suffering and save lives.
And everything we do is based scrupulously on the best scientific advice. Last week we asked everyone to stay at home if you had one of two key symptoms: a high temperature or a new and continuous cough.
Today, we need to go further, because according to SAGE [the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] it looks as though we’re now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve. And without drastic action, cases could double every 5 or 6 days.
So, first, we need to ask you to ensure that if you or anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms, then you should stay at home for fourteen days. That means that if possible you should not go out even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others.
If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities.
For the latest on the outbreak, follow our coronavirus live updates here.
And if that is not possible, then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies.
And even if you don’t have symptoms and if no one in your household has symptoms, there is more that we need you to do now.
So, second, now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel.
We need people to start working from home where they possibly can.
And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues. It goes without saying, we should all only use the NHS when we really need to.
And please go online rather than ringing NHS 111.Now, this advice about avoiding all unnecessary social contact, is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women and for those with some health conditions.
And if you ask, why are we doing this now, why now, why not earlier, or later? Why bring in this very draconian measure?
The answer is that we are asking people to do something that is difficult and disruptive of their lives.
(Image: PA)
And the right moment, as we’ve always said, is to do it when it is most effective, when we think it can make the biggest difference to slowing the spread of the disease, reducing the number of victims, reducing the number of fatalities.
And as we take these steps we should be focusing on the most vulnerable. So third, in a few days’ time – by this coming weekend – it will be necessary to go further and to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions are largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks.
And again the reason for doing this in the next few days, rather than earlier or later, is that this is going to be very disruptive for people who have such conditions, and difficult for them, but, I believe, it’s now necessary.
And we want to ensure that this period of shielding, this period of maximum protection coincides with the peak of the disease.
And it’s now clear that the peak of the epidemic is coming faster in some parts of the country than in others. And it looks as though London is now a few weeks ahead.
So, to relieve the pressure on the London health system and to slow the spread in London, it’s important that Londoners now pay special attention to what we are saying about avoiding non-essential contact, and to take particularly seriously the advice about working from home, and avoiding confined spaces such as pubs and restaurants.
Lastly, it remains true as we have said in the last few weeks that risks of transmission of the disease at mass gatherings such as sporting events are relatively low.
But obviously, logically as we advise against unnecessary social contact of all kinds, it is right that we should extend this advice to mass gatherings as well.
And so we’ve also got to ensure that we have the critical workers we need, that might otherwise be deployed at those gatherings, to deal with this emergency.
So from tomorrow, we will no longer be supporting mass gatherings with emergency workers in the way that we normally do.
So mass gatherings, we are now moving emphatically away from. And I know that many people – including millions of fit and active people over 70 – may feel, listening to what I have just said, that there is something excessive about these measures.
But I have to say, I believe that they are overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of the disease, to reduce the peak, to save life, minimise suffering and to give our NHS the chance to cope.
Over the last few days, I have been comparing notes and talking to leaders around the world and I can tell you that the UK is now leading a growing global campaign amongst all our friends and allies, whether in the G7, the G20, the UN, the IMF - all those bodies in which we play a significant role. We’re leading a campaign to fight back against this disease.
To keep the economy growing, to make sure that humanity has access to the drugs and the treatments that we all need, and the UK is also at the front of the effort to back business, to back our economy, to make sure that we get through it. I know that today we are asking a lot of everybody. It is far more now than just washing your hands - though clearly washing your hands remains important.
But I can tell you that across this country, people and businesses in my experience are responding with amazing energy and creativity to the challenge that we face, and I want to thank everybody for the part that you are playing and are going to play."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-03-16--Gunnman walked up to victim on Manchester street and shot him in the leg

A gunman walked up to his target on a Manchester street and shot him in the leg .
The victim was on Oldham Road in Miles Platting when he was approached .
The shooting was just before 8.40pm on Sunday March 15th .
The 32-year-old man who was hit is in a stable condition in hospital .
A GMP statement read : `` At around 8.40pm on Sunday , March 15 , 2020 , police were called to reports of a firearms discharge on Oldham Road , Manchester .
`` He was taken to hospital , where he remains in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been made . ''
The shooting is not being linked to another at around 11.55pm on Friday March 13th on nearby Winstanley Road .
In connection with that incident John Fleck , 31 , of Farnborough Road , Miles Platting , has been charged with a Section 16A firearms offence .
He was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates ' Court today .
Police were called to reports of a firearm discharge on Winstanley Road .
Several gunshots were fired into the street .
Anyone with information is asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoting incident number 3374 of March 13 for the Winstanley Road incident on Friday ; and incident number 2923 of March 15 for the Oldham Road incident on Sunday .
Information can also be reported via Crimestoppers , anonymously , on 0800 555 111 .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
See Our
See Our
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
A gunman walked up to his target on a Manchester street and shot him in the leg.
The victim was on Oldham Road in Miles Platting when he was approached.
The shooting was just before 8.40pm on Sunday March 15th.
The 32-year-old man who was hit is in a stable condition in hospital.
A GMP statement read: "At around 8.40pm on Sunday, March 15, 2020, police were called to reports of a firearms discharge on Oldham Road, Manchester.
"Officers attended and found a 32-year-old man with a leg injury.
(Image: ASP)
"He was taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
"An investigation is underway.
"No arrests have been made."
The shooting is not being linked to another at around 11.55pm on Friday March 13th on nearby Winstanley Road.
In connection with that incident John Fleck, 31, of Farnborough Road, Miles Platting, has been charged with a Section 16A firearms offence.
He was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court today.
Police were called to reports of a firearm discharge on Winstanley Road.
Several gunshots were fired into the street.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 1146 - quoting incident number 3374 of March 13 for the Winstanley Road incident on Friday; and incident number 2923 of March 15 for the Oldham Road incident on Sunday.
Information can also be reported via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.