Businesses across Southport have been left in the difficult situation where customers have been told to stay away from pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops – and yet the government has not ordered that the premises themselves should shut.
It has left many in limbo with bills and staff to pay and a substantial drop in income.
Southport MP Damien Moore has now said that he will lobby the Government to give more help to local business owners.
He said: “I have spoken with the Chancellor and the Treasury about the support that is being offered to small businesses, particularly the hospitality sector – restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. This follows the advice issued by the Government yesterday to avoid group gatherings as much as possible.
“I understand those businesses are concerned that the Government’s advice is voluntary, and therefore they are not able to claim on their insurance for their loss of revenue – even their ongoing costs such as staff absence and other overheads.
“I am lobbying the Government to adjust their position based on the most up-to-date advice so those businesses affected can make a claim, and I am continuously reviewing Government advice to ensure businesses are well-served during this crisis.
“I have also been contacted by a constituent coordinating a number of small shops in Southport who are prepared to provide deliveries to local people who may need support due to self-isolation. I would like to thank them for all that they are doing, and I will post their details on my page later today.”
These Southport firms will deliver during Coronavirus crisis
People have also been contacting their MP with other concerns.
He said: “I have had a significant number of constituents contact me in the last few days about COVID-19 with a wide range of concerns. From underlying health problems to supermarket panic buying and self-isolation advice.
“I will be publishing the full guidance for Southport on my Facebook page and website later today, but I wanted to update constituents on what I have been doing to support our town as much as can be expected.
“I am in daily contact with the Chief Executive of Southport Hospital and Sefton Council about local COVID-19 cases and their capacity to treat the problem effectively. I am also working with colleagues in Parliament to ensure those updates from our hospital are listened to by the Government.
The empty toilet roll aisle at Morrisons supermarket in Southport on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“However, general advice remains the same. If you display the symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate at home for 14 days. If self-isolating, you shouldn’t go to any GP surgery, pharmacy, or hospital. You don’t need to contact NHS 111 to let them know you have symptoms, and testing is no longer needed if you are self-isolating at home.
“Only contact NHS 111 if your condition gets worse, your symptoms do not get better after seven days, or if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home. The Government and NHS have issued guidance for those who are self-isolating with suspected Coronavirus, which can be viewed on the https://buff.ly/QU95V9 website.
“Finally, if you are a constituent and you have a serious underlying health concern that you would like me to raise with our local hospital directly, or if you’re a business owner and you’re worried about how the government’s advice might affect your business, please contact my office. As a substitute to my usual face-to-face surgeries, I will be holding a number of telephone surgeries over the coming days and weeks to ensure residents can speak to their Member of Parliament directly.
“If you have any questions, or if you would like to book an appointment, please contact my office on 01704 500577 or damien.moore.mp@parliament.uk.”
