A walk-through coronavirus testing facility will open today (Friday 18 September) at Arc Sports Centre in Glasgow, as part of the UK Government’s drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for communities across the UK.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at NHS Inform or by calling 0800 028 2816 and you can expect your result the next day.

The new site is hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University and is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre).

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely. Testing at the new site will start today. Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland this includes 6 drive-through sites, the Lighthouse Lab in Glasgow, 18 Mobile Testing Units and now two walk-through sites – all funded by the UK Government. More walk-through sites are expected to open across Scotland in the coming weeks.

UK Government minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, said:

The UK Government is committed to expanding testing capacity in Scotland and this new walk-through in centre in Glasgow, funded by the UK Government, is a key part of this.

We know testing is a vital part of our fight against coronavirus and these walk-through centres will make it even easier for everyone to get a free test.

These sites are not possible without the hard work of many people and I would like to thank everyone involved for their incredible efforts.

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Mitie, and will offer self-administered tests.

Simon Venn, Chief Government & Strategy Officer, Mitie, said:

Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Glasgow, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, Professor Pamela Gillies CBE, FRSE, said:

GCU is dedicated to serving the Common Good and making our sports facility available for this vital walk-through Test Centre is an important way we can help our local community, our staff and students, and support the country’s emergency response.

It adds to others ways GCU has been responding to the pandemic, including our nursing and paramedic students joining the frontline, providing PPE and other essential equipment to the NHS, undertaking key research on the social impact of the lockdown and our academic staff advising on policy development.

I’ve no doubt this Test Centre will be of great benefit in the weeks and months ahead and we are happy to have had the government’s assurances that the close and segregated management of the Test Centre will mean there is no increased risk to our staff and students.

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted). Those being tested may experience some mild discomfort but it should not hurt.

Test and Protect is Scotland’s way of putting into practice the test, trace, isolate, support strategy. It will prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community by: identifying cases of coronavirus through testing, tracing the people who may have become infected by spending time in close contact with them, supporting those close contacts to self-isolate so that if they have the disease they are less likely transmit it to others. Find out more about how it works on the NHS Inform website.

Following the inspection of the site at Monkton Sidings, Fineshade, Corby, two arrests were made and a further individual was interviewed under caution as a volunteer.

As a result of the investigation, Stephen Lack (68) was charged with operating a waste management facility without an environmental permit.

He appeared before the Northampton Magistrates’ Court, in custody, on 16th September.

His case was sent to the Northampton Crown Court for trial and he was remanded in custody pending his first Crown Court appearance on 14th October 2020.

The Environment Agency reminds everyone that they have a legal duty to ensure they are giving their waste to registered carriers and it is taken to authorised permitted sites for treatment or disposal.

Yvonne Daly, Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

“The operation of a waste site without regard for the environment and the law have the potential to harm our natural resources, blight communities and undermine the legitimate businesses that do follow the rules.

“Our role is to protect the environment for people and wildlife, so we won’t hesitate to take action against those who put it at risk. And to businesses flouting the rules our message is clear: you won’t get away with it.

“Thanks to Northamptonshire Police for the support and assistance they have given us in this operation.”

Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity is reminded to report it to our 24-hour hotline by calling 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can check your waste collectors waste carriers registration at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or call 03708 506 506.

Earlier this year the Environment Agency and partners launched the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, aiming to stop serious and organised crime in the UK Waste Industry. You can find out more about the initiative on our website.

• Further restrictions introduced across parts of north west, midlands and West Yorkshire to curb rising infection rates, agreed in collaboration with local leaders
• Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington and Halton escalated to areas of intervention, with new restrictions in Wolverhampton, Oadby and Wigston, and parts of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale
• Regulations and guidance to come into force from Tuesday

In close discussions with local leaders, the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed to introduce local measures in several parts of the north and midlands.

This follows major increases in COVID-19 cases in large areas of the north west, Yorkshire and small parts of the midlands which mean the following restrictions must be urgently brought in to clamp down on infections.

North west

In Merseyside, Warrington, Halton and Lancashire (excluding Blackpool and Greater Manchester), regulations will enforce the following restrictions from Tuesday 22 September:

• residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens
• hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only
• late night operating hours will be restricted, with leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10pm to 5am

Residents are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:

• only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
• avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators

The above does not apply to Bolton or Greater Manchester where separate restrictions are already in place.

Individuals who are shielding in parts of north-east Blackburn (8 wards are under local restrictions) will no longer need to from 5 October, bringing these wards into line with the rest of Blackburn with Darwen where shielding is already due to pause from 21 September.

Midlands

In Wolverhampton and Oadby and Wigston residents will be banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens from 22 September.

Individuals who are shielding in Leicester City will no longer need to from 5 October.

West Yorkshire

All parts of Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, will now be banned from socialising with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens, from 22 September. Some wards in these areas had been exempt from restrictions on gatherings introduced at the start of August, but these wards will now also be subject to the ban.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise fast in Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Warrington, Halton and Wolverhampton. Local leaders in these areas have asked for stronger restrictions to be put in place to protect local people, and we are acting decisively to support them.

I know these restrictions will make everyday life harder for many, but I know that residents will work together and respect the rules so we can reduce rates of transmission.

I urge local people to isolate and get a test if you have symptoms, follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace, and always remember ‘hands, face, space’. By sticking to these steps, we will get through this together.

These decisions have been made in close collaboration with local leaders, with many requesting restrictions to help prevent further increase.

Rates in Liverpool have increased to 100.6, with Warrington rising to 111.2, Oadby and Wigston rising to 145.5, and Wolverhampton increasing to 61.8 per 100,000 in the past week (5 to 11 September).

These changes are in addition to the ‘rule of 6’ which was introduced nationwide on Monday, limiting the number of people who can gather indoors or outdoors to 6. This rule is in place across the country and will sit alongside additional restrictions in some local areas.

The changes come as the weekly surveillance report is published by Public Health England (PHE), with a number of updates to this week’s local authority watchlist, published on GOV.UK.

PHE, the JBC and NHS Test and Trace constantly monitor the levels of infection and other data on prevalence of the virus across the country. As has always been the case, measures are kept under constant review to reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.

Background information

The changes to this week’s watchlist are:

• Lancashire (including all wards of Blackburn with Darwen but excluding Blackpool), Oadby and Wigston, and Wolverhampton added as an area of intervention. Wards of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale which were exempt are also being added into the intervention area
• Blaby becomes an area of enhanced support
• Selby, Scarborough and Spelthorne (Surrey) added as areas of concern
• the following areas have been removed from the watchlist after improvements in cases:
  • Swindon
  • Breckland
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Norwich
  • Broadland
  • North Norfolk
  • South Norfolk
  • King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

The new restrictions in the north west apply to:

• Lancashire:
  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Pendle
  • Preston
  • Rossendale
  • Hyndburn
  • Burnley and South Ribble
  • West Lancashire
  • Chorley
  • Wyre
  • Fylde
  • Lancaster
  • Ribble Valley
• Merseyside and Cheshire:
  • Liverpool
  • Wirral
  • Knowsley
  • St Helens
  • Sefton
  • Halton
  • Warrington

We recognise the impact these measures will have on Jewish communities as they mark Rosh Hashanah on Friday. Synagogues can remain open for communal worship in line with COVID-secure guidance.

Thank you, Madam President,

We welcome this Urgent Debate, which provides an important opportunity to draw the Council’s attention to, and act with resolve on, the current situation in Belarus.

The United Kingdom does not accept the results of the fraudulent Presidential election in Belarus.

We condemn the excessive use of force by the authorities against peaceful protestors, the targeting and detention of journalists and the expulsion of opposition figures. We continue to call on the Government of Belarus to respect the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of expression for all, including for journalists and media workers.

We have called for an independent OSCE investigation into the fraudulent election processes, and related human rights violations.

The UK also supports imposing sanctions against those responsible. We are working with our international partners to hold the Belarusian authorities to account. 

The UK is doubling its financial support to independent media, human rights organisations, and community groups in Belarus, with an extra £1.5m for project work over the next two years.

The authorities in Belarus must enter into a constructive dialogue with the opposition and people of Belarus. It is vital that the Belarusian people are heard and can determine their country’s future.

Thank you.