Star date: 8th May 2020

AS 76 NEW VIRUS CASES CONFIRMED IN SALFORD CAMPAIGNERS SAY 'NO RETURN TO WORK UNTIL IT'S SAFE'

Last night, at 8pm, dozens of health workers and trade unionists gathered outside the A&E at Salford Royal Hospital for the weekly applause for those on the front line of the pandemic.

But, as confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford rose by 76 to 844, and one new death was announced, the People Before Profit group also joined in with demands...'PPE, Test and Track - if it's not safe we're not going back!'

Full details and photos here...

'They are putting big business interest before health and we must say 'No' to that...'

Last night, at 8pm, dozens of NHS workers gathered outside the A&E department of Salford Royal Hospital for the weekly applause for front line staff – except that, for the first time, this also included a protest against the Government's handling of the pandemic.

Campaigners from the People Before Profit group joined in with well received placards calling for 'PPE, Test and Track- if it's not safe we're not going back!'...

"We're here because we think we should have solidarity with NHS staff" explained Ameen Hadi from the group and Salford City UNISON "The Government hadn't prepared for this epidemic; this is why we've got the highest death rate in Europe and we need to be here saying that the NHS staff have to be given the PPE and the testing they need and there should be no end to the lockdown until it is safe; until there's tracking and until they make sure that the death rate has gone down. They are putting big business interest before health and we must say 'No' to that."

Anyone criticising the Government's handling of the crisis has been accused of 'weaponising' and 'politicising' the emergency, how would he respond to that?

"The mainstream media is covering for a Government that is totally incompetent and often people stuck in their houses believe what they are told...but the reality of the situation is somewhat different" Ameen responded "Why have we got the highest death rate? Why have we got so many infections? Why have we got no proper PPE? The 400,000 pieces from Turkey were all faulty. So where is the strategy? We haven't got one, so it is right to put people's lives before profit..."

Similar People Before Profit events also took place outside North Manchester General Hospital and Trafford General Hospital...

"People are becoming frustrated with the Government's inadequate response, and are looking to move beyond the fantastic clapping for the NHS on Thursdays to find ways to express that" added Mark Krantz from Greater Manchester Coronavirus Action Group "We will stay socially distanced – but standing together..."

Meanwhile, confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford have leaped by 76, to 844 from 768 the previous day, and Salford Royal Hospital has announced one further sad death.

Photos by Louise Garman