Coronavirus

Welcome to our dedicated webpage for regular updates on the coronavirus. Updates will be posted in date order, and you will need to scroll down for older messages.

Last updated 22nd February 2021:

Roadmap out of lockdown
From 8 March, people in England will see restrictions start to lift and the government’s four-step roadmap offer a route back to a more normal life.

Step 1: 8 and 29 March

Changes on 8 March
Education
In Step 1, our priority is to ensure that all children and students return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges from 8 March. Childcare and children’s supervised activities can also resume where necessary to enable parents to work or engage in similar activities. We are introducing twice-weekly rapid testing for secondary and college pupils - in addition to regular testing for all teachers - to reduce the chance of the virus spreading in schools.
Higher Education students at English universities on practical courses can also return from 8 March.

Social contact
People will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or support bubble, if they are eligible for one, or with one person from outside their household. Care home residents will also be allowed one regular visitor.

Changes on 29 March

Social contact
The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors. And this is why from 29 March, when most schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.

Business and activities
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

Travel
The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

Step 2: not before 12 April

Business and activities
Step 2, which will be no earlier than 12 April, will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.

Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.

Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.

Events
While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

Step 3: not before 17 May

Social contact
As part of Step 3, no earlier than 17 May, the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances.

This means that most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal. Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply - we will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this.

As soon as possible and by no later than Step 3, we will also update the advice on social distancing between friends and family, including hugging. But until this point, people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble.

Business and activities
Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen. In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and businesses may not cater for groups bigger than the legal limits. Indoor hospitality will reopen - and as in Step 2, venues will not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor will there be a curfew. Customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated.

Other indoor locations to open up in Step 3 include indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs; and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes. The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).

Events
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings.

Review of social distancing
Finally, before Step 4 begins, the government will complete a review of social distancing and other long-term measures that have been put in place to cut transmission. This will inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which the rules on 1 metre plus, the wearing of face coverings and other measures may be lifted. This will also inform guidance on working from home – which should continue wherever possible until this review is complete.

Step 4: not before 21 June

Social contact
By Step 4 which will take place no earlier than 21 June, the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact.

Business, activities and events
We hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3. This will be subject to the results of a scientific Events Research Programme to test the outcome of certain pilot events through the spring and summer, where we will trial the use of testing and other techniques to cut the risk of infection. The same Events Research Programme will guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

As we move through each of these phases in the roadmap, we must all remember that COVID-19 remains a part of our lives. We are going to have to keep living our lives differently to keep ourselves and others safe. We must carry on with ‘hands, face, space’. Comply with the COVID-Secure measures that remain in place. Meet outdoors when we can and keep letting fresh air in. Get tested when needed. Get vaccinated when offered. If we all continue to play our part, we will be that bit closer to a future that is more familiar.

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.  

Useful links:

Clare House Women’s Refuge https://www.clarehouselancashire.org.uk/

Mental Health & Wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

For more information on Coronavirus please visit the government website at:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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Last update: 5th January 2021

National lockdown announced

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home.

From today people will only be allowed to leave their homes for the following reasons:

• Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.
• Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
• Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
• Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
• Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).
• Attend education or childcare - for those eligible.

The latest information about the restrictions can be found here: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-announces-national-lockdown

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.  

Useful links:

Clare House Women’s Refuge https://www.clarehouselancashire.org.uk/

Mental Health & Wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

 

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Last update: 2^nd December 2020

New tier system introduced

It has been announced that the UK will be placed into a new tier system when the second national lockdown is lifted on Wednesday 2^nd December.

The first review of the tiers is set for 16^th December. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the allocation of tiers will be reviewed every 14 days from that date.

The latest information about the restrictions in each tier can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

To find out which tier you are in, visit the postcode checker here: https://bit.ly/39mjkCZ

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal regardless of the new tiered system. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.  

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Last update: 3rd November 2020

National lockdown announced 

The government has announced that a national lockdown will take place in England from Thursday 5th November. From Thursday the national restrictions replace any local restrictions in your area. The latest information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2nd December. At the end of the period, they will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal during the 4 week lockdown period. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.

Here is a link to the Mind.org website with some useful information on mental health and well-being at this time:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

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Last update: 19^th October 2020

On Monday 12^th October, Boris Johnson announced a new three tier system with medium, high and very high alert levels.

More information of the tiers can be found by clicking the links below:

1. Tier 1 – medium alert restrictions
2. Tier 2 – high alert restrictions
3. Tier 3 – very high alert restrictions

Lancashire and Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens) have moved into tier three, which is the “very high” risk category.

As the current situation with COVID-19 develops, our commitment is to adhere to Public Health England guidance and the protocols advised by local and international authorities.

The wellbeing of our customers and our staff is our absolute priority, and you can be assured that health and safety have our complete attention. 

We will be following developments daily and providing updates as necessary.

Below is some more information about what we are doing as an organisation, as well as the measures you can take in order to help stop the spread of the virus.

Steps that we are taking:

• All of our employees are fully aware of the current requirements. They are undertaking extreme levels of health and safety procedure to ensure that the highest possible hygiene standards are maintained, throughout every aspect of our service, including visiting, and working in, your home.
• We are the following the Public Health England guidance in managing any member of staff returning from the affected areas abroad - or those who have family members or friends recently returned from these regions.

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Last update April 2020

Central Lancashire Age Concern Coronavirus Helpline: 01772 552 850 option 0

Age Concern Central Lancashire is encouraging older people and their carers within the county to get in touch through its Coronavirus helpline (01772 552 850 option 0) or their website https://www.ageisjustanumber.org.uk/covid-19-referral/ 

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Last update 23rd March 2020

As COVID-19 continues to spread, Progress Lifeline’s primary concern is the health and wellbeing of its customers and staff, as well as their families.

With the UK Government announcing that every Briton over the age of 70, or with underlying medical conditions should self-isolate at home for the next 12 weeks, there has never been a more important time to make sure loved ones are kept safe.

We would like to advise our customers of our response and availability of service during this time:

Emergency responder service	Lifting service	Installations and upgrades	Maintenance, service & repairs	Alarm replacements
a	a	a	a	a
No change	No change	Risk assessment based	Remotely or risk assessment based	Postage (where possible)

See below for full details

First of all, we would like to reassure our customers that Progress Lifeline’s top priority is to keep our 24-hour monitoring and response service operating as usual. If you find yourself in difficulty or need of reassurance - you must not delay - press your alert button immediately.

Progress Housing Group (our parent company) has established a Senior Management Incident Team. They are monitoring the situation daily. They will follow advice from Public Health England and the NHS to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

As members of the Telecare Services Association (TSA) and holders of the Quality Standards Framework for Technology Enabled Care providers, we have activated our Business Continuity Plan that is designed to deal with emergencies such as this.

Progress Lifeline will continuously review its Business Continuity Plan and provide further information and advice as the situation evolves through social media and on the Progress Lifeline website.

Latest updates from NHS about coronavirus

Latest response from Government about coronavirus

Our response and available services:

• Emergency responder service: Our emergency responders are attending emergency call-outs when required. Where possible, our operators will assess your situation and take the necessary steps to protect your safety and that of our responders. All responders are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment which is reviewed on a daily basis.
  
  
• Lifting service: Our responders are attending lifting service call-outs when required. Where possible, our operators will assess your situation and take the necessary steps to protect your safety and that of our responders. All responders are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment which is reviewed on a daily basis.
  
  
• Installations and upgrades: New monitoring systems and upgrades are still being installed. Prior to your install appointment, our operations team will be in touch to check if you are currently self-isolating. Our install teams will endeavour to keep a distance of two meters from anyone in the property and avoid personal contact (no handshakes).
  
  
• Maintenance, service and repairs: Fortunately, most of our technical support can be carried out remotely. If a home or site visit is required, our engineers will fix the issues as quickly as possible. As above, prior to your appointment, our operations team will be in touch to check if you are currently self-isolating. Our install teams will endeavour to keep a distance of two meters from anyone in the property and avoid personal contact (no handshakes).
  
  
• Alarm replacements: If you have lost or damaged* your wrist or pendant alarm, we will post it out to you free of charge using Royal Mail’s next working day delivery service. Call us on 03333 204 999.
  
  
• Returning equipment: If you need to return equipment (unit, pendant, sensors, detectors, keysafes etc.), please call 03333 204 999 or email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk for the latest returns policy and procedure.

Additional help and advice:

Shopping (this shopping list was updated 18th March 2020 - Please check with stores before visiting or ordering.)

• Shop local: This is the perfect time to support local businesses by ordering supplies online and over the phone. Local shops are more likely to stock the items you need than supermarket chains. Some local farm shops are offering free delivery!
• Booths: 9.30-11:00 opening times for only the vulnerable and elderly. https://www.booths.co.uk/stores/
• Sainsburys Local: first-hour trading currently in place for the vulnerable and elderly this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, check the website for more detail https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/
• Iceland: 08:00-10:00 (2 hours) opening times for only the vulnerable and elderly. https://www.iceland.co.uk/store-finder
• Tesco: All stores to open 06:00-22:00 Monday-Saturday & 10:00-16:00 to enable staff to replenish shelves (some in-store pharmacies may stay open later). https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/
• Asda: All stores to open 07:00-23:00 Monday-Saturday & 10:00-16:00 Sunday to enable staff to replenish shelves. https://storelocator.asda.com/
• Morrisons: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/
• Food Banks for Leyland, Chorley and Penwortham: Food banks are only open for those who have a referral from either a doctor, social worker, crisis management worker, etc. Hot food and drink services are not available. Food parcels can be collected by knocking on the door during opening hours. A member of staff will bring the food parcel out to you. It is advised that only one family member collects.

Other support:

• Find a local GP: To find your local GP, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
  
  
  
• AGE UK Telephone Befriending Service: – ‘Call in Time’ is a free telephone friendship service for people 60 and over. They'll match you up with a likeminded person who's keen to make a new friend, and every week they'll give you a call. For full details, visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/sign-up-for-telephone-befriending/
  
  
  
• The Silver Line Befriending Service: is the only free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people (over 55s) which is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For full details, call 0800 4 70 80 90 or visit: https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
  
  
  
• Facebook: The Coronavirus North West Support Group (Covid-19 2020) was set up on Facebook on Sunday (05 March 2020) and has attracted thousands of members. The group, which gets more than 130 posts a day, was set up by people from Preston to share news, advice and updates regarding the virus. Posts include information on food banks, shop supplies, advice on symptoms, school closures, and business information, and how to make self-isolation a little bit easier.
  
  
  
• North West Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2301831146783974/
  
  
• Lytham Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531950220287671/

• Alzheimer’s Association: If you’re caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may be more worried about coronavirus. There are some things you can do to help prevent the person from catching any viruses. For further information, visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
  
  
  
• Samaritans: If you need to talk to someone, it is free to call the Samaritans from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. You do not need to have any credit or call allowance on your plan to call 116 123. For further information, visit: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
  
  
  
• As individuals: If you are fit and free of symptoms, you could help neighbours by posting notes and offering to do their shopping or collecting much-needed prescriptions etc.

If you would like to share other organisations that may help the vulnerable and the elderly during the pandemic, please email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk with the details.

Thank you and please take care of yourself and each other.

*If the alarm equipment was damaged maliciously, replacements are not free and will be charged.

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Coronavirus (Covid 19)  13th March 2020

As the current situation with Covid-19 develops, our commitment is to adhere to Public Health England guidance and the protocols advised by local and international authorities.

The wellbeing of our customers and our staff is our absolute priority, and you can be assured that health and safety have our complete attention. 

We will be following developments daily with intense scrutiny and providing updates as necessary.

Below is some more information about what we are doing as an organisation, as well as the measures you can take in order to help stop the spread of the virus.

Steps that we are taking:

• All of our employees are fully aware of the current requirements. They are undertaking extreme levels of health and safety procedure to ensure that the highest possible hygiene standards are maintained, throughout every aspect of our service, including visiting, and working in, your home.
  
  
• We are the following the Public Health England guidance in managing any member of staff returning from the affected areas abroad - or those who have family members or friends recently returned from these regions.

What you can do to help prevent the spread of coronavirus

Information for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus, including the current situation in the UK, is being updated daily by the lead agencies.

The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.

Key advice includes:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• avoid unnecessary close contact such as shaking hands

Feeling unwell or asked to self-isolate?

If you have a Progress Lifeline equipment installation appointment or are in need of our EHR services we may ask you about your health and your recent travel before we attend. This is to protect our employees and ensure we can maintain services.

You can contact us in a number of ways including email, website, social media and webchat. Any information you share will be kept confidential.

Impact on service delivery

We are currently delivering all services as usual. We will provide updates if this changes.

Further support

If you have any queries or concerns about your health, we would urge you to follow the advice from Public Health England or the NHS.

Please do get in touch with us if you want further advice on any other issues that may potentially arise from the situation by webchat or email enquiries@progressgroup.org.uk

Useful links

• General health advice for individuals, available from the NHS website.