Coronavirus: Latest updates from across the North West

Summary

Updates from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire on Friday 27 March

Live Reporting

Jenny Coleman and Tom Mullen

Radio station helps 89-year-old woman in self-isolationpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
When 89-year-old Joan from Garstag called Radio Lancashire last week she was struggling to get help at home.
A staff member who also lives in the town was able to help and put Joan in touch with a local volunteer group.
Joan rang the station a second time to say thank you.
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‘I’m devastated there’s no support for me’published at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
Lucy Hooker
Business reporter
The chancellor’s plan to support self-employed people through the coronavirus crisis has received a cautious welcome from some who are set to benefit, but others have found they won’t qualify.
Image source, Terry Litherland
Self-employed workers will be able to claim up to £2,500 per month but only if they have been operating for at least a year and take home less than £50,000. Those who do qualify won't see the money until June.
“I’m devastated,” says Terry Litherland, an electrician in Blackpool.
"I watched [the chancellor’s announcement] with bated breath," he tells the BBC. "My wife got a bit upset."
"We’re a family of five - three young children - and he said there’s no support for us.”
Supermarket shoppers 'keep calm' and queuepublished at 09:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
The supermarket shop suddenly looks a little different. So how are people managing under the new restrictions?
Britons are known around the world for their queuing skills, and it would seem we still love to line up even when maintaining social distance.
Social media has been full of people sharing their experience of shopping while keeping 2m (6ft 6in) apart.
While supermarket bosses have been sending guides to the new shopping etiquette designed to protect employees and customers.
Adrian Barrowdale said he had felt nervous before a shopping trip in Manchester but was relieved by how well the supermarket managed shoppers.
Image source, Google
Coronavirus - North West coveragepublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 March 2020
Good morning from your BBC News Online team here in the North West.
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