Coronavirus: News and Advice

The test & trace service aims to help identify, contain and control coronavirus, reducing the spread of the virus and saving lives. Here’s what you need to know.

Are you thinking about your future? Are you looking for help and support? The Households into Work team is here for you.

A statement on the re-opening of schools in Knowsley.

Frequently asked questions around the re-opening of schools in Knowsley.

Knowsley’s historic Bowring Park Golf Course will re-open on 30 May following its temporary closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eligible children in Knowsley will receive vouchers for free school meals during half term, after Knowsley Council put pressure on Government to fund it.

During these challenging times it’s important that we look after our mental wellbeing and the kind to your mind campaign is designed to help us do that

If you need help as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Knowsley has an army of volunteers ready to help!

To help to support the council’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak and support vulnerable residents, its Adult Social Care team is providing vital services.

Residents displaying Covid-19 symptoms can be tested in a number of mobile testing units visiting the borough over the coming week and months.

Authorities in the Liverpool City Region are urging the Government to keep its promise to do “whatever it takes” to support people through the Coronavirus pandemic.

A survey into the effects of coronavirus and social distancing measures on mental health and loneliness is appealing for participants

Anyone who is displaying Coronavirus symptoms is now eligible to book a test to find out if they have the virus. Find out how to do it.

Residents are being encouraged to rethink how they travel, considering if their journey is essential and, if so, when and by what means they travel.

Knowsley Council will be unable to provide free school meal vouchers over half term after government confirmed its scheme is term-time only.

There are lots of mental health and wellbeing resources to support you during Mental Health Awareness Week and throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“The national guidance isn’t right for Knowsley. The message I’m sharing right now is that we really MUST continue to stay at home as much as possible.”

Knowsley Council has moved to clarify the situation regarding the potential re-opening of schools in the borough.

With parents and carers juggling work and home schooling, the borough’s schools have come together to share some useful tips and advice.

Local authorities in Merseyside are calling for people to remain vigilant and continue to stay home as much as possible, following national changes to the UK’s Coronavirus response. 

Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team may not be knocking at your door – but they are still working for you during this pandemic.

Knowsley’s Innovate Volunteering has played a key role in ensuring people facing hardship during the Coronavirus outbreak receive the help they need.

Practical help for parents and carers whose children are affected by bereavement during these difficult times.

This Foster Care Fortnight Knowsley’s Fostering Service is asking people to think about whether this rewarding role might be right for them.

Merseytravel wants to know how you are travelling around now and how you expect to travel in the future – whether its by car, bus, train, ferry, cycling or walking.

This week, the latest update from council leader, Cllr Graham Morgan, looks ahead to a long weekend of reflection on both past and present events.

Signs are being installed around key road networks across Knowsley thanking key workers and carers for the work they are doing during these challenging times.

We are supporting the #QuitforCovid campaign as there has never been a more important time to quit smoking.

Local sewing enthusiasts have been busy making scrubs for Aintree Hospital, The Walton Centre and Whiston Hospital.

Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team may not be knocking at your door – but they are still working for you during this pandemic.

New figures show that since the start of the government-imposed ‘lockdown’ on 23rd March, 250 drivers have been arrested for drink and drug driving in Merseyside. 

As Knowsley moves to adopt the national free school meals eligibility system families are urged to check and apply so they don’t miss out on means tested free school meals.

Morrisons – who are opening a new store in Kirkby town centre – have pledged to help the local community by supporting Knowsley’s Volunteer Hub.

Since the council’s Community Support and Volunteer Line launched last month the Big Help’s Knowsley Foodbank has distributed more than 2,000 food parcels to people and families in need.

Knowsley Council officers are working around the clock to maintain essential services and support for the community at this time.

A series of specialist webinars designed to help Knowsley businesses with the specific challenges they are currently facing have been organised by Invest Knowsley.

Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team is issuing advice to help to keep ‘bogus callers’ away and sharing the message ‘If in doubt, keep them out.’

If you need urgent health care during the Coronavirus pandemic you’re being asked not to put it off – the NHS is still able to look after you, safely.

In his latest update during the Coronavirus outbreak, Cllr Graham Morgan looks at the financial cost to the borough of dealing with this crisis.

Guide Dogs have launched a new phone line for people with sight loss and their families, to help support them during the coronavirus outbreak.

There is a range of bereavement support available including an NHS helpline, support for children and adults, as well as guidance with practical arrangements.

Healthwatch Knowsley are seeking the views of local residents about how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected people accessing health and social care services.

Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, has added his voice to concerns that Government funding for the Coronavirus response will leave local authorities in the city region severely underfunded.

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing guidelines has meant that Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team ‘Walkabout Wednesday’ won’t continue as usual.

Adoption in Merseyside (AiM) funding will provide additional support for adoptive families during these challenging times.

Helpful advice from Knowsley’s Road Safety team if you’re using your bike for your daily exercise or travelling to work.

Household waste recycling centres in Knowsley will be opening again, with strict social distancing and other restrictions in place.

Got a dental problem and need a dentist? Here’s what to do.

The latest weekly update from Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan.

Families urged to check if they might be eligible for means tested free school meals support.

The message is simple – the more you stay at home, the quicker we can return to normality and start to live our lives again.

Advice on how to manage your waste while recycling centres are closed.

The borough is seeing many examples of locals reaching out to friends, neighbours and vulnerable people to make sure they get the support they need.

With hundreds of you now signed up to help as volunteers in Knowsley, we’ve produced some FAQs to help answer any questions you may have.

If you run a businesses selling food, here’s what you need to know in order to follow guidelines relating to Covid-19 and keep yourself, your staff & customers safe.

VE Day 75th anniversary events will be scaled back due to the ongoing pandemic but there are still plenty of ways you can mark the special day at home.

The #StreetSmiles campaign is calling on people to create a ‘smiling sun’ and display it in their windows, brightening the day of the refuse collectors and other key waste and recycling workers.

Knowsley Council is offering additional financial support for the Adult Social Care system, which is under pressure as a result of COVID-19.

If your small business is still open during this time, here’s what you need to know to help you ensure social distancing requirements are met.

The council is reminding households to do the right thing and save lives by following the Government requirements on social distancing.

New online learning resources are available – plus, the Government is promising equipment to help disadvantaged pupils access the internet.

Knowsley Council has joined a national campaign to raise awareness of illegal money lenders (loan sharks) using the Coronavirus outbreak to prey on people.

The loan scheme is designed to help medium-sized and larger businesses affected by the Coronavirus outbreak access finance.

Volunteers who offered their services in Knowsley are now out and about helping others during the Covid-19 outbreak.

An update from Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, as the borough reaches the end of its fourth week in ‘lockdown’.

A new campaign has been launched across the Liverpool City Region to ensure victims of domestic abuse know where to turn to for help and support.

More than £9.2m has now been paid to business in Knowsley to help them survive the financial difficulties brought about by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Your help is needed to ensure Knowsley’s most vulnerable residents are supplied with emergency food relief over the coming months. 

A new mental health campaign has launched urging everyone to be ‘Kind to Your Mind’ during the Coronavirus pandemic. It aims to support the mental wellbeing of people living and working in Cheshire and Merseyside.

With the restrictions on going out extended, the council is reminding victims of domestic abuse about where and how to get help.

Are you self-employed?  Or supporting someone who is? The ‘Better Off Finance’ team at Citizens Advice Knowsley remain open and are working with existing and new clients by telephone and email.   

Extra pedal power is helping NHS workers commute to work, thanks to an innovative bike loan initiative by Cycling Project’s Pedal Away scheme.

Cheshire & Merseyside NHS Trusts have launched new mental health helplines for people in need of mental health crisis support.

Residents aged over 70 and those eligible for a free flu jab, will be receiving a letter this week offering help & support from Knowsley Council and Knowsley CCG.

From Friday, 10 April, NHS staff will be able to travel for free on buses and Merseyrail trains across the city region.

An update from Knowsley Council leader, Cllr Graham Morgan, ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

With everyone’s limited outdoor time so precious right now we’re appealing to dog owners to please pick up after your pet!

Knowsley Library Service has been busy sourcing a whole range of FREE online resources to help you keep your children entertained and learning while staying at home.

Knowsley’s very own Rainbow of Hope is available to download and colour in to help you spread more cheer among your community.

The first of the government grants available to support businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have been processed.

Knowsley Council is reiterating Merseyside Police’s advice on how to keep children safe online during the coronavirus pandemic.

Information to help children understand what coronavirus is has been produced.

During this unprecedented time the Council, and the whole community, is following the Government and Public Health England’s guidance to help contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

If you would like to donate items of food or household supplies – or make a cash donation so that the charity can buy supplies, here’s how you can do it.

As the borough works hard to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, we have an update from Knowsley Council Leader, Cllr Graham Morgan.

Knowsley Public Health has updated its 10 Ways to Wellbeing advice to help you and your family look after your mental health and wellbeing whilst staying at home.

Families in Knowsley who are suffering hardship as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak will be fed thanks to a partnership between Knowsley Council and retailer Home Bargains.

 Local growing charity, Incredible Edible Knowsley, have leapt into action during the Coronavirus outbreak to make thousands of vegetable plant…

Merseyside Police has advice for domestic abuse victims on using ‘999 silent solution’ telephone system in an emergency. Here is a message from them.

If you’re currently out of work and looking for a job, Knowsley Works has a number of opportunities available for Knowsley residents.

Businesses in Knowsley are being asked to help keep vulnerable people in the borough with donations of food and essential supplies.

Over the last few days, we’ve seen an increase in calls about people burning waste in their gardens. We know it’s hard with recycling centres closed but we would advise you to avoid this where possible.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, our bin collection crews are working hard to try and deliver a service as normal. Here’s how you can help.

People struggling with their mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.

During the Coronavirus outbreak Knowsley Better Together is more important than ever. Here’s how you can play your part.

Keeping teenage children entertained and explaining the importance of social distancing can be difficult – here are some tips to help parents.

During these unprecedented times we are all relying on a number of Key Workers covering a range of disciplines to…

If you are worried about how you’ll pay your Council Tax bills because of Coronavirus, the council has a number of ways in which it can help.

If you have any concerns about work arrangements and social distancing during the Coronavirus outbreak, here’s what to do.

Knowsley Council has introduced a new voucher scheme for Knowsley school children who receive free school meals.