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ROSIE COOPER MP RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT RISK OF COVID SUPER SPREADING BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND WEST LANCASHIRE

Immediate release: Thursday 15 October West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper today raised serious concerns about the risk of a public health disaster in West Lancashire this weekend directly with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock.

During a Covid-19 update statement to the House of Commons today, MP Rosie questioned the Secretary of State about the impending Liverpool v Everton super spreader event that is likely to happen this weekend, as fans travel from Liverpool City Region (Tier 3 restrictions), to West Lancashire which is in Tier 2.

Rosie is concerned by the social media activity indicating Ormskirk could see high numbers of residents arriving from Liverpool with a view to watching the Everton versus Liverpool match on Saturday.

She said: “As soon as the Tier Three restrictions were announced for the Liverpool City Region, social media was awash with suggestions of ‘heading to Ormskirk’ to watch this weekend’s Everton versus Liverpool derby match.

“It became clear very quickly that as with many decisions being made by Government, they hadn’t thought about or planned for the mass movement of people between areas with different levels of restrictions.

“It seems that Government just hasn’t learned lessons, just like staging the Liverpool Atletico Madrid back in March, despite restrictions in Spain at the time.

"Shortly after the match, there was sadly a sharp increase in deaths across Liverpool.

“Without clear advice, guidance, support and resources we could see similar this weekend with flocks of fans from Tier Three areas of Liverpool City Region descending on Ormskirk and West Lancashire.

"This could be, as I said to the Health Secretary, a super-spreading event leading to a public health disaster.

“I can only plead on behalf of my West Lancashire constituents, and football fans across Merseyside, that for all our safety, please do not travel to West Lancashire this Saturday.

“I have since written to the Health Secretary asking how he plans to urgently protect my West Lancashire constituents.”