23rd July – Coronavirus News Updates

UK DATA:

Total UK Cases: 5,602,321 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 39,906 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 4,861, +179 on previous day
New deaths across UK: 84
Total UK deaths: 128,980
England Cases per 100,000: 495
R number in UK: 1.2 to 1.4

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 46,433,845
Total 2^nd doses: 35,970,849

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 28,135
New cases in past 7 days: 1,885 to 18 July
Total deaths: 811
Cases per 100,000: 490.7 per 100,000
R number in North West: 1.1 to 1.3

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.

Roadmap out of lockdown.

UK NEWS & HEADLINES:

More than 600,000 pinged and told to isolate by NHS App
More than 600,000 people using the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales were sent self-isolation alerts in the week between 8 and 15 July.

Data shows 618,903 alerts were sent – a 17% rise from the previous week.

From today, staff working in key areas such as supermarket depots and food manufacturers will be tested regularly if pinged by the NHS Covid app, instead of being asked to self-isolate for 10 days. They can continue to work providing they test negative regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated. This change comes after increasing pressure from the industry, including supermarkets saying the supply of some goods was being affected by the so-called “pingdemic”, which is leading to staff shortages. The problem, they said, was not widespread but some retailers feared stores would close or opening hours could be reduced.
The phased introduction of daily testing will start with 15 supermarket depots today, then 150 depots next week, eventually covering 500 sites – close to 10,000 staff – in the UK. But this announcement does not include those working in supermarkets.

Food industry Covid testing rolled out to support sector
Environment Secretary George Eustice and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have outlined plans for daily contact testing for the food and drink industries.

Reducing Covid-related school absences
Growing numbers of children have been absent from school due to rules around self-isolation. Last week around one million were off in England due to coronavirus but a new study has found daily testing of school pupils who are a close contact with someone who has Covid is a safe alternative to isolating at home. It doesn’t lead to the virus spreading, according to Oxford researchers, and has the potential to reduce school absences by up to 39%. It’s a “major breakthrough” says Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser for NHS Test and Trace. While England is due to remove the requirement for children and adults to self-isolate as close contacts from mid-August, rules vary in the other nations. The Scottish government is reviewing its approach for school children, who return to lessons in August, and the education minister in Wales says he wants to minimise the number of pupils self-isolating. This study will now be used to understand how the virus spreads in schools and colleges.

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

Cheshire East Council warns of soaring Covid-19 cases
Covid-19 infection rates of the highly transmissible Delta variant continue to increase at an alarming rate in the borough (474 cases per 100,000 in the latest week 10 July to 16 July) and have more than trebled since the beginning of the month.

Positive cases among those aged 18 to 30 and who remain un-vaccinated are particularly high especially in Macclesfield and Crewe areas.

Businesses in the region are being asked to continue to adhere to Covid-19 guidance, including ensuring good ventilation and fresh air and conducting workplace Lateral Flow Testing.

Ryanair launches new summer services from Manchester Airport
The new routes to Bucharest, Romania; Knock, Ireland; Verona, Italy; and the Greek island of Santorini mean the airline will operate a total for 315 weekly flights from the Northern hub, serving 67 destinations. Services will allow Ryanair to serve over 5 million passengers each year from Manchester Airport.

SMEs receive over £100m from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) has delivered more than £100 million in investment to 270 SMEs across the region during the Covid-19 pandemic since April 2020. Of that total, £60 million has come from debt finance, £7 million through the NPIF’s microfinance programme. Northern SMEs have also received £35 million from equity investments; NPIF’s co-investors from the private sector have added a further £150 million. In total, 270 businesses across Northern England have received funding across nearly 400 transactions. The NPIF Debt and Microfinance funds have been able to offer Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) backed loans.

£1.2m to support 450 people into North West tech careers
Skills City, a training provider that supports alternative routes into employment in the tech sector, has been awarded £1.2 million from the Department for Education (DfE) to support 450 people in the North West through Skills Bootcamps. Based at MediaCityUK and developed by HOST, Skills City will host six DfE funded bootcamps as part of a wider rollout of training programmes and part of the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs. The funding will support 450 people with fair access to digital skills training, by breaking the barriers faced by those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds and empowering them into technology careers; 50 per cent of learners will be women in order to drive gender parity in the tech sector.

Pingdemic causing closure of bars and restaurants across Greater Manchester
The ‘pingdemic’ is forcing Greater Manchester hospitality venues to close every day because of isolating staff, the region’s night-time economy tsar Sacha Lord has warned. In a statement addressing the continued problems surrounding the Track and Trace app for the hospitality sector, Mr Lord added businesses and the economy “cannot wait” until August 16 to resolve the issues. The Government recently confirmed that close contacts who are double-jabbed will not have to isolate after August 16 in England.

Industrial property take-up reaches record levels leading to fears over future supply
Industrial and logistics take-up in the North West reached 3.58 million sq ft in the first half of 2021 – for units of 100,000 sq ft+ – according to the latest Savills Big Shed Briefing, making it the best first half ever recorded for the region. Savills reports that take-up was 36% above the first half of 2020 and 89% above the long term average, with 18 separate transactions recorded across the North West, including deals to Gefco, Panther Logistics and Amazon. However, Savills notes that, due to the strong take-up levels, supply of warehouse space in the North West has decreased dramatically in the past 12 months to stand at just 2.7 million sq ft across 14 separate units, equating to just 0.59 years’ worth of supply.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
What to do if you or someone you employ is required to self-isolate. This includes being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, self-isolation rules and financial support – updated to include information about self-isolation for workers in critical services.

Covid-19 and the private security industry – FAQs
Information about how we are responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 23 July 2021
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 14 to 18 July to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.

COVID-19 vaccination programme
Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme – added link to accessing COVID-19 vaccination without an NHS number.

Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer – updated the general list of providers.

Moving home during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home.

CONSTRUCTION:

Contractors back call to end the pingdemic
Construction companies are backing calls from business chiefs to end the pingdemic of workers being forced to self isolate. Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, said: “The current approach to self-isolation is closing down the economy rather than opening it up. This is surely the opposite of what the Government intended. Businesses have exhausted their contingency plans and are at risk of grinding to a halt in the next few weeks. What is now needed is a well-balanced approach to reopening the economy, rather than the awkward compromise that currently exists.”

EDUCATION:

Disapplication notice: school inspections legislation changes
Secretary of State for Education issues a 16th notice about changes to state-funded school inspection requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Terms of Reference for EPRS in summer 2021
Proposed revisions to the way the Exam Procedures Review Service will operate for qualifications awarded in summer 2021.

Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update
Ofsted guidance and information relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) for schools, early years, children’s social care and further education and skills providers – updated the ‘Early years and childcare’ section due to changes in COVID-19 restrictions.

Student guide to awarding: summer 2021
A guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2021 – PDF, HTML and easy-read guides updated to provide more details on appeals for qualifications awarded in 2021.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Health chiefs encourage more pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccine
Health chiefs are encouraging more pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccine, as new data shows that 51,724 pregnant women in England have received at least one dose.

COVID-19 vaccination: booking an appointment letter
NHS letter inviting eligible adults to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment – added link to accessing COVID-19 vaccination without an NHS number.

Management information on LFD test registration rates: 22 July 2021
Supplementary information on lateral flow device (LFD) test registration rates to support information presented at the Public Accounts Committee meeting on 8 July 2021.

Public urged to continue protecting family and friends
New government campaign launches across England to remind public of importance of continuing healthy behaviours to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
Lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government’s minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer.

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

LEGAL:

Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you want to make an LPA now, you can as long as you follow government guidance – edited due to lifting of restrictions on 19 July

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

Local authority powers to impose restrictions under coronavirus regulations
Supports the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No 3) Regulations 2020 that come into force on 18 July 2020.

SPORT:

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible.

TRANSPORT:

International road haulage: HGV and trailer documents
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and trailer documents you need to legally cross international borders in a UK-registered vehicle – Insurance green cards will not be needed from 2 August 2021 to drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland.

Ryanair launches new routes from Manchester Airport
The airline will operate a total of 315 weekly flights, serving 67 destinations. Ryanair is also adding four new summer routes from Manchester Airport, with another six destinations being added in winter. New routes will connect Manchester Airport with the Romanian capital, Bucharest, Knock in Ireland, Verona in Italy and the Greek island of Santorini. Additions for the winter schedule include Kaunas, Lithuania; Poznan, Poland; Suceava, Romania; Zagreb, Croatia; and Paphos, Cyprus.

TRAVEL:

International bus or coach services and tours: vehicle documents
Check which vehicle documents you need to carry if you drive a bus or coach across international borders – Insurance green cards will not be needed from 2 August 2021 to drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland.

Useful Links:

Coronavirus Roadmap out of lockdown – what and when?

From 29 March:

People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the “rule of six”, including in private gardens
The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible
Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart
Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances

Stage two (no earlier than 12 April):

All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people’s homes)
Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation
Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place

Stage three (no earlier than 17 May):

People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
Six people or two households can meet indoors
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings
Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
International leisure travel may resume
Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart

Stage four (expected 19th July):

All legal limits on social contact will be removed
No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen

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

Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

Health – Shielding the most vulnerable https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Travel: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit: http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0

Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/

Resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.