Securing a slot for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test is no easy task.
According to the latest government figures released last week, around 220,000 tests are processed each day, with a testing capacity of more than 350,000 – which includes swab tests and antibody tests – and the aim is to increase that to 500,000 a day by the end of October.
This isn’t quite the case at the moment though however.
An increase in demand for tests over the past few weeks has led to local shortages – particularly in Greater Manchester – with some people being directed to test sites hundreds of miles from their homes.
Addressing the situation in the House of Commons, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the system is facing an “enormous challenge” after a “sharp rise” in those seeking a test. He admitted that there were a number of current “operational challenges” with the testing process, which the government was “working hard” to fix.
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He continued: “I don’t deny that it is an enormous challenge and when you have a free service it’s inevitable that demand rises.
“The challenge is to make sure that we prioritise the tests we have as a nation to those who most need it.”
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Pikist
Here at The Manc, we always want to hear the viewpoints and experiences of our audience.
After observing the ongoing nationwide conversation around the difficulty many are experiencing in securing slots for coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, we were keen to take a more regional look and find out how Greater Manchester residents have found the process, so we took to Twitter this morning to ask: Has anyone in Greater Manchester struggled to get a coronavirus test?
How’s the process been in general?
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Has anyone in Greater Manchester struggled to get a Coronavirus test? How's the process been in general?
In response to our question, we received a range of responses from residents across the region detailing their own personal experiences, particularly with relation to the online booking system and how easy it is to use, booking tests over the phone, the range of slots available and of course, the location of testing centres.
Overall, the responses were mixed, although it is fair to say that the majority did seem to indicate some level of dissatisfaction with the process.
While it is hard to disguise the dissatisfaction expressed by many, it’s not all doom and gloom as we did receive a few replies reporting positive experiences with the booking system.
Heywood has a walk in centre set up. Got booked in for the following day very easily. However, that was about 3 weeks ago so don’t know if it’s still the case.
Interested in checking out the rest of the responses?
Keen to have your say?
We unfortunately were not able to include every reply to our question in this article, but there’s still time to chip in, so make sure you head on over to @TheMancUK to read the other responses, leave your thoughts and discuss with other Mancunians in the same or different positions to you.
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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New interactive map shows where to find 500+ Manchester venues with air conditioning
Emily Sergeant
Do you feel that? Yeah… it’s getting warmer outside.
After all, it is only early July, so we can’t be expecting that the only heatwave (or so to speak) we’re going to get this year has already been and gone, can we? It stands to reason that the sun would grace Greater Manchester with its presence once again before this season’s out – and according to the Met Office, that time has come.
The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising for the next couple of weeks, but if that’s not really your bag, then luckily someone has made a new interactive map that shows where all of the bars and restaurants that have air conditioning are in the city.
There are more than 280,000 pubs, cafes, restaurants, and bars in England and Wales, but only around 8,000 (3%) of them are confirmed to have air conditioning.
The good news, though, is that around 500 of them are in Manchester, and thanks to Where’s Cool, we now know where they are.
A new interactive map shows where to find the 500+ Manchester venues with air conditioning / Credit: Where’s Cool | MCC
Founded by Thomas Chivers, Where’s Cool has been created by a combination of thorough research of Food Standards Agency and public MHCLG Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data, as well as public contributions.
So, where a venue’s EPC says it has ‘cooling’, it gets marked as confirmed on the map, and then it’s up to the public to fill in the gaps by simply telling Where’s Cool whether a place has AC or not, and eventually, once a few people agree, the map updates.
“I created this Map in May in the middle of the first heatwave,” explained creator Thomas Chivers.
“I’m really glad I did, because we’re now somehow on our third and it’s only July. I needed to find somewhere cool to work because my flat was far too hot to work in.
“For those of us, like me, who work from home without aircon, it’s become a necessity to know where we can go with our laptops when the temperature starts to creep above the 30 degree mark. Hopefully the Where’s Cool map can be useful in helping others find a place to go and cool off, as well as helping out the hospitality venues who can always do with the customers.”
You can see which Manchester venues have air conditioning on Where’s Cool here.
Featured Image – Eric Anderson (via Unsplash)
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Prime Minister set to announce extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly set to announce an extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What a way to sign off from the highest office in Great Britain, eh?
According to Sky News journalist Beth Rigby, the outgoing PM is expected to reveal an extended period of celebration across the country if/should/WHEN (you’ve got to believe) the Three Lions reach this year’s World Cup final and lift the biggest prize in global sport.
Starmer may be gearing up to leave No. 10 Downing Street soon, but he can certainly earn himself a few more points in the pros column should this familiar rumour come to fruition.
The PM is planning to announce a bank holiday if England win the World Cup. Final is the day before handover of power day on July 20. PM expected to confirm bank holiday if England reach the final, with the likely date set to be July 24. Dare to dream!
As Rigby states in her post on X, this decision would fall just before the transition in leadership, with Greater Manchester’s own Mayor Andy Burnham all but confirmed at the head of the table already within the Labour Party cabinet.
Regarding the still only potential bank holiday – Thomas Tuchel’s side still need to make it through the quarter-final and the semis, remember – the Sky reporter states that the following Friday, 24 July, is the most likely date.
Understandably, plenty on social media are already rejoicing over the prospect, but some aren’t content with waiting a week to carry on the post-trophy lift party, with many arguing that it should be the Monday morning immediately after the final next Sunday (19/2/2026).
Let’s be honest, there’ll be lots of people pulling sickies regardless of whether or not their bosses are left to grant a day off.
Many have already rightly argued that such decisions should have been made in the past after the Lionesses won not just one but two back-to-back European Championships; we’re willing to forgive and move on if the powers that be make it happen this time.
Starmer recently said that despite always believing England will “go all the way”, he didn’t want to jinx anything, simply telling the BBC’s Chris Mason: “Ask me again if we make the final.”
Either way, the general jubilation should England end 60 ‘years of hurt’ will be nothing short of colossal, and it would only feel right given the sheer gravity of the would-be achievement.
We’re even getting excited merely by the idea of some additional and, at present, strictly hypothetical pre- and post-match entertainment…
Emily Sergeant -
15th September 2020 
