27th August – Coronavirus News Updates

UK STATISTICS

Total UK Cases: 6,628,709 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 38,281 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 6,906, 7 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 140
Total UK deaths: 132,143
England Cases per 100,000: 316
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.2

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 47,860,628 – 88% of UK adults
Total 2^nd doses: 42,072,712 – 77% of UK adults
Daily 1^st doses: 68,076
Daily 2nd doses: 161,705

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 32,891
New cases in past 7 days: 1,057 to 19 Aug
Total deaths: 823
Cases per 100,000: 273.4 per 100,000
R number in North West: 0.9 to 1.1

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.

UK NEWS UPDATES

Vaccine complications dwarfed by virus risks
A major review of vaccines suggests the AstraZeneca jab does raise the risk of blood clots and another serious condition that can cause bleeding.

But the study found the risk of such problems following a coronavirus infection was still much higher. The University of Oxford-led team also found an increased risk of stroke after the Pfizer jab – but again at a much lower rate than after infection.

The team said it once again showed the “substantial” benefit of vaccination.

Covid jab side-effects ‘mild’ for at-risk children
Parents should be reassured the side-effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in 12 to 15-year-olds at high risk from Covid are mild and clear up quickly, a small study suggests. Doctors in Bristol tracked 27 children with neurological conditions for two weeks after their jabs. They found the children, who had been shielding, had similar side-effects to adults. High-risk children benefited most from the vaccine, the researchers said.

New rules for holiday destinations from Monday
Seven destinations will join the green list on Monday, as part of a review of travel restrictions. The changes to the traffic light system, which sets out the rules for arrivals, also see two countries added to the red list.
How are the green, amber and red lists changing?

Canada and Switzerland are among those added to the green list from Monday 30 August, at 04:00 BST. They are joined by Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein and the Azores. Travellers arriving from these destinations will no longer need to quarantine. They join other popular destinations on the green list including Malta, Barbados and Germany. Meanwhile Thailand and Montenegro will join the red list.

People returning from red list countries will need to pay to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for ten days. Charlie Cornish, CEO of MAG, said: “Today’s announcement will have a positive impact on the options available to those looking to go on holiday in the remaining days of the summer season.

“But in reality, these changes will make little difference to the overall recovery of the UK travel industry, which is already recovering at less than half the pace of the rest of Europe. Europe’s stronger recovery has been driven by the removal of testing requirements on vaccinated travellers. Unless the UK also removes the need for people with full immunity to take these tests, we will continue to squander the advantage our world-leading vaccination programme was supposed to deliver, while passengers on the continent travel restriction-free to low-risk destinations. Government cannot wait until the 1^stOctober to make changes to the travel regime and must press ahead with an overhaul of its traffic light system immediately.
We must arrive at a simpler, more affordable and sustainable travel framework to enable the best possible winter season and give customers the confidence to book ahead for 2022.”

Data informing international travel traffic-light risk assessments: 26 August 2021
A summary of key data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) to inform country risk assessments.

Covid cases – this summer compared to last
This time last year, the UK was slowly taking its first small steps into what would become the second wave of Covid-19. That led to tighter local restrictions and, ultimately, lockdowns across all the nations, which didn’t start to unravel until late spring 2021. Case numbers now are more than 30 times higher than at the same point last year and are showing signs of climbing again.

Let’s compare 20 August with this time last year.

Case numbers are much higher now, at 37,314 this year, compared with 1,182 a year ago – Read on

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:   

Residents urged to watch safely as Tour of Britain
Riders, including sprinter Mark Cavendish, will begin Stage Five of the Tour of Britain on Thursday 9th September at the Alderley Park life sciences complex, and the council’s public health chief has called on spectators to visit quieter sections of the route to watch the race.

Applications open for Queen’s Award for Enterprise
BEIS are keen for more organisations than ever to apply this year for the awards from all sectors and all regions of the UK, particularly given the challenges that businesses have faced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS: 

BUSINESS:    

Get an exemption to temporarily leave quarantine if you’re a senior executive bringing significant economic benefit to the UK
Certain senior executives travelling to England from an amber list country can get an exemption to temporarily leave quarantine for COVID-19 – guidance updated to reflect the latest rules around travelling to England from a country or territory on the amber list. You can’t use the exemption if you’ve been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks
Advice for employers carrying out right to work checks during the coronavirus pandemic – guidance updated to reflect extended end date of 5 April 2022.

HMRC: Are you re-opening your business, or planning to do so shortly?
If you’re bringing back your employees’ part time, you can claim furlough flexibly for them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs. You can currently claim for pay periods in August and September. If you submitted a claim for July and need to make a change because you didn’t claim enough, you can also do this until 11.??59pm?? ?this coming?? ?Tues??day, 31?? ?August. For the latest information, join our live webinar; you can ask questions using the on-screen text box, although we can’t discuss personal circumstances.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: During the live webinar we will look at who can claim, who you can claim for, how to calculate your claim, how to claim, and bringing back your employees’ from furlough – Register here  You’ll be able to download some useful handouts and we’ll also send you a link to a recording after the live webinar.

If you’re a small or medium-sized employer with fewer than 250 employees, you may also be eligible for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme. View our recorded webinar about the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme on HMRC’s YouTube channel, for further guidance on the scheme, including who you can claim for, how to claim and what you may be entitled to. You can also find out what other financial support may be available for you and your business as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs, by searching ‘find coronavirus financial support’ on GOV??.UK.

Driving test centre waiting rooms during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Check which driving test centre waiting rooms are open, and find out what the rules are for using them because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated ‘Driving test centre waiting rooms closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions’.

CARE:    

Adult social care in England, monthly statistics: June 2021
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.

COMMUNITY:   

COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people
Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination.

CONSTRUCTION:   

Contractors rocked by 15% price hike on concrete products
Contractors have been left reeling by another huge materials price hike as a major concrete products manufacturer announced 15% increases.

The Enquirer understands that contractors have been sent letters this week from Creagh Concrete detailing 15% price rises across its range of concrete products.

The increase will come into force from September 1 and is the latest materials price hike following sudden rises in the price of steel and bricks. One major contractor source said: “We are all experiencing challenges in the current market but this is a real blow to impose increases with a week’s notice unilaterally without any dialogue.”

Construction sector accounts for highest number of insolvencies
According to a recent Deloitte report, the construction sector accounts for the highest number of insolvencies compared to any other sector, with around 25% of all insolvencies. Within this issue lies a tendency within the property industry with property funds investing their investors’ money (that could be coming from pension funds, etc) into property development projects that can’t demonstrate the contractors’ insolvency risk has been eradicated – and hence no mechanism has been implemented to de-risk payments to the supply chain. This is highly unethical and needs to be urgently addressed. It means contractors and SMEs don’t have the reassurance and transparency that funds will not be misappropriated. Without a guarantee that small business contractors will get paid, this has created uncertainty and mistrust on an industry-wide level.

EDUCATION:   

Back to School – here’s what you need to know
Pupils all over the country are beginning to return to schools and colleges after their summer breaks. For many pupils they will be returning with far fewer restrictions than when they left for the summer holidays. Now that there are fewer restrictions, pupils will be able to experience a fuller education experience, including, access to more group activities, team sports, playing with friends, plays, and taking part in musical groups. Here’s what you – parents and pupils – need to know on going back to school.

Schools blended delivery case studies
Good practice developed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:   

UKHSA launches study to better understand COVID-19 vaccine response
UKHSA has been awarded funding to lead a consortium of research partners to better understand how individuals respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

PROPERTY:  

Coronavirus (COVID-19): landlord right to rent checks
Advice for landlords carrying out right to rent checks during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – guidance updated to reflect new end date of 5 April 2022.   

RETAIL:

UK loses 83% of department stores since BHS collapsed
The UK has lost 83% of its main department stores in the five years since the collapse of the BHS chain. The figure highlights the extent of the upheaval in the High Street as the Covid pandemic sped up changes in shopping habits.

The data, compiled by commercial property information firm CoStar Group, also reveals that more than two-thirds of these shops remain unoccupied.

Some 237 big stores have yet to be taken over by a new business.

CoStar tracked the UK’s largest chains, from BHS and Beales to Debenhams and House of Fraser, from 2016 to the present day. Five years ago, they had 467 stores between them. Now, however, only 79 are left.

TRAVEL:  

Red, amber, green lists: check the rules for travel to England from abroad
Countries listed as red, amber or green for coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow for travel to England – Montenegro and Thailand will move to the red list 4am Monday 30 August. The Azores, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland will move to the green list.

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.