8th December – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

There have been more than 10 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and sadly over 145,000 people have died, government figures show. More than 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81% have had their second and 36% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 10,560,341 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 45,691new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,314, 91 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 180
Total UK deaths: 145,826
England Cases per 100,000: 483.7
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 51,138,245 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 81%
Daily 1^st doses: 19,979
Daily 2nd doses: 25,012
Daily Booster doses: 329,165

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 59,261
New cases in past 7 days: 1,850 to 2 Dec
Total deaths: 910
Cases per 100,000: 478.4

Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated with latest global case numbers.

The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 3 December 2021

UK NEWS UPDATES:

New film shows Martin Kemp as Father Christmas in vaccine drive
Former soap star and member of Spandau Ballet Martin Kemp has joined the national effort to get people vaccinated – by appearing as Father Christmas in a new film released today (Tuesday 7 December). The video shows Martin preparing for Christmas – booking the sleigh in for an MOT, polishing his boots, getting his beard in shape, and most importantly, getting his COVID-19 vaccine. The film is part of the government’s ongoing campaign to remind people of the importance of getting booster and flu jabs to ensure they are protected as soon as they are eligible.
Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1UYmnjdzF4

The Health and Social Care Secretary has given a statement to Parliament on the COVID-19 pandemic and action being taken to tackle the Omicron variant
There are now 261 confirmed cases in England 71 in Scotland and 4 in Wales bringing the total number of confirmed cases across the UK to 336. This includes cases with no links to international travel and it is highly likely that there is now community transmission across multiple regions of England.
Nigeria has been added to the travel Red List, anyone who’s not a UK or Irish citizen, or resident who’s been in Nigeria for the previous 10 days will be refused entry.
From 4am Tuesday 7^th December anyone travelling to the UK from a country that’s not on the Red List must also show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test. This applies to any vaccinated travellers aged 12 and above.
The government is deploying about 350 military personnel in England this week to support the vaccine booster programme and there’s already over 100 personnel in deployed in Scotland supporting their vaccination efforts. We’ll have over 1,500 pharmacy sites putting jabs in arms across England along with new hospital hubs and vaccination centres.

NEW Omicron travel rules now in force
People aged 12 and over must show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow test for coronavirus, taken within 48 hours of travelling to the UK, as rules to limit the spread of the Omicron variant take effect.Private test providers must be used – not the free NHS lateral flow kits – and the measures apply whether or not people are vaccinated. All contacts of suspected Omicron cases are also required to self-isolate for 10 days. People arriving in the UK already had to self-isolate until they received a negative PCR test on day two after their arrival. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the Omicron variant is spreading in the community in multiple areas of England, with 336 confirmed cases across the UK

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

300 SPAR stores in the North hit by cyber attack
The supermarket chain Spar has been forced to close scores of stores following a cyber attack. The outage, which first struck on Sunday, has left more than 300 shops unable to receive credit card payments or use email. Many branches were forced to shut, although some sites have managed to stay open by accepting cash.
A spokesman for the retailer said that only stores across the north of England which are run by distribution partner James Hall & Company were impacted, with the company supplying products to almost 600 of Spar’s stores.

Council launches consultation on digital strategy
Plans for the borough encompass digital infrastructure, support for the digital economy, access to public services online and ways to improve health, wellbeing and inclusion.

Promotional videos released to encourage Cheshire East residents to shop local
The videos have been produced as part of the ‘Say Hi to the High Street’ campaign to support local retail in 11 towns across Cheshire East, including Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Poynton and Handforth.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

HMRC: For businesses affected by Full Customs Controls from 1^st January
If you move goods between Great Britain (GB) and countries in the European Union (EU), you might be affected when full customs controls come into effect on 1??? January??? ?2022. If you have a specific question about importing, exporting or customs reliefs, call HMRC Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300??? ?322??? ?9434. The helpline is open from?? ?8am to 10pm??? ?Monday to??? ?Friday and from?? ?8am to??? ?4pm at weekends.
You can also send us your questions or contact us by webchat.

The Export Support Service is a new helpline for UK businesses to get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe. The service is a ‘one-stop shop’ and brings together UK government information, making it easier for exporters to access advice and support.

HMRC’s YouTube channel has videos and recorded webinars about customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU.

Watch our Rules of origin recorded webinar to understand the process and what you need to do if you buy from, send or sell goods to the EU.

We’ll explain existing guidance and answer general questions about the content.

You can find webinars and videos from other government departments about trading with the EU.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus Community Support Fund Learning Hub Reports
Signposting to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF) Grantholder Learning Hub.

How to do a coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow test at home or at a test site
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 – updated wording to clarify that this guidance is for how to do a rapid test at home or at a test site. Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services – updated processing dates table and removed ‘Renewing a driving licence’ section.

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus – added information on Nigeria being added to the red list at 4am on 6 December and new rules on pre-departure testing for people travelling to England. Removed Suffolk as a local authority area receiving an enhanced response to COVID-19.

CONSTRUCTION:

Construction output shows fastest rise in four months
The bellwether IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI Total Activity Index hit 55.5 in November – up from 54.6 in October. There were also signs that the worst phase of supplier delays may have passed, with the portion of survey respondents citing longer delivery times falling to 47% in November compared with a peak of 77% in June. A steeper rise in commercial construction (index at 56.5) helped offset a sight showdown in house building growth (54.7, down from 55.4). Civil engineering was the weakest-performing area in November (53.9), although the latest rise in activity was the largest since August.

EDUCATION:

How to complete the educational setting status form
This data will help the government monitor the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on settings, focus support more effectively and keep children safe – updated to confirm that from 7 December, questions will be updated to reflect the new guidance on the use of face coverings and requirements to self-isolate.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): assessment processes for selective school admissions
Guidance on entry testing for admission to state-funded selective schools during the COVID-19 pandemic – updated this guidance to reflect the changes that were made to schools’ guidance as part of the government’s response to the Omicron variant, and to reflect changes to the selection process now that the autumn term is ending.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 26 November 2021
Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, in the latest weeks for which data are available.

PROPERTY:

2021 on course to be strongest year for house purchases since 2007
This year is likely to be the strongest for home buying activity since at least 2007, according to a trade association representing mortgage lenders and other financial firms. Home mover activity fell away somewhat following the ending of a recent stamp duty holiday, but has remained positive, with activity being strongest away from the South of England, UK Finance said. It said that, provided there is not a full reversal of activity as the year draws to a close, “purchase activity in 2021 is likely to reach the highest level since 2007”.

Knight Frank: Omicron throws housing market stability into doubt
Knight Frank says that while most of the world is hoping that positive early anecdotal evidence is matched by what comes out of laboratories in coming weeks, until there is certainty it’s difficult to predict what this means for the industry.
The new variant could produce a delay in the anticipated interest rate rise, which most analysts previously felt was a dead cert when the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee meets next week. “We had expected rising rates (along with growing supply) to start applying downwards pressure on prices from next year. However, if the Omicron variant proves to be serious, it may affect supply and demand as well as the timing of a rate rise. It’s a frustratingly uncertain outlook” says a statement from Knight Frank.

RETAIL:

Record UK & Ireland results for JYSK
Despite a challenging time for retail, Danish retailer JYSK, which has its UK & Ireland headquarters in Hazel Grove, has announced a second-year record results for the region in the 2020-21 financial year. While traditional retail has been impacted by repeated lockdowns and store closures, the furniture and homewares brand has seen customer numbers increase 30%, thanks to focused marketing campaigns and the opening of a number of new stores, including in Stockport, and now has 25 outlets in the UK. Total sales in the UK and Ireland topped a record €68.9 million, an increase of 67% on the previous year, and has seen all staff rewarded with a bonus of almost £2400.

TRANSPORT:

Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and developing faster indicators of transport activity
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode.

TRAVEL:

Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England – added information about how to store your NHS COVID Pass in Google Pay Wallet.

How to quarantine at home after international travel
What to do when you need to quarantine at home or in the place you’re staying after you arrive in England from abroad – added a reference to the new rules on pre-departure testing before travelling to England which come into force on Tuesday 7 December, with a link to the relevant guidance page for further details.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer air travel for passengers
How to travel safely in airports and on aircraft during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – people transiting through England need to take a COVID-19 test before travel to England.

Red list of countries and territories
Check the COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for countries and territories on the red list for international travel to England – requirement to take a COVID-19 test changed from within 3 days of travel to England to within 2 days.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England
You need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to England from abroad – people aged 12 years and over must take a?COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.

Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England – people aged 12 years and over must COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – guidance updated – you cannot use the ‘priority service’ or ‘super priority service’ if you’re applying from a country or territory on the red list for international travel.

Approved COVID-19 vaccines and countries and territories with approved proof of vaccination
Approved vaccines and list of countries and territories with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia and Ukraine can use EU DCC to add proof of vaccination status in the UK passenger locator form.

Useful links:

Publishing information about your claimsIn January HMRC published the list of employers who claimed under the CJRS for periods from December onwards, on GOV.UK.

Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten yearsBusinesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:

1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;

2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;

3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.

COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government’s plan for managing COVID-19 through the end of 2020 and into the start of 2021.

Government extends JRS furlough scheme at 80% for period of lockdown
The government has said the furlough scheme, due to have closed on 31^st October, would now be extended until December.

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Steps to take before calculating your claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check if you can claim for your employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

New National Restrictions from 5 November
Information on the new national restrictions, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available.

Job Retention Bonus (JRB)
Employers are able to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), kept continuously employed until at least 31 January 2021 and who meets the other eligibility criteria. Claims can be made between 15 February and 31 March.

Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.

Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business

Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business

Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open

Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool

Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Government – Financial Support: HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.

Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub