2nd June – Coronavirus News Updates

UK DATA:

Total UK Cases: 4,490,438 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 3,165 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 870 (133 new admissions)
New deaths across UK: 0
Total UK deaths: 127,782
England Cases per 100,000: 28.9 per 100,000
R number in UK: 1.0 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 39,477,158 up to and including 31 May 2021
Total 2^nd doses given: 25,734,719

Latest Cheshire East data:

Total Cheshire East cases: 21,370
New cases in past 7 days: 137 to 27 May
Total deaths: 796
Cases per 100,000: 35.7 per 100,000
R number in North West: 1.0 to 1.2

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.

Revision to historical case data in England
The introduction of a new system disrupted the removal of cases where a positive rapid lateral flow test (LFD) was followed by all negative laboratory (PCR) tests taken within 3 days. Therefore 4,776 additional cases were removed on 19 May. Regions and local authorities do not show the actual number of new cases reported. UK and England numbers of newly reported cases have been adjusted and correctly reflect new cases reported.

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:

SME Climate Commitment launched to encourage small businesses to aim for net-zero
With the UK set to host a global climate change summit in the Autumn, a new campaign has launched to help small businesses do their part to reach net zero.

The ban on bailiff-enforced evictions ends today and there is a change to the notice period for private tenants.
The government introduced the ban back at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and it has remained, in varying forms, until yesterday, with bailiffs asked not to carry out an eviction. From today, eviction notice periods – previously extended to six months during much of the pandemic – will reduce to four months, and if the roadmap out of lockdown continues as planned, notice periods will return to just two months from October 1.

Heathrow to open dedicated Red List terminal
Passengers arriving from countries with a high prevalence of Covid are being channelled through a dedicated at Heathrow Airport. Of 43 countries currently on the UK’s red list, direct flights are permitted from just a few – including India – and restricted to British and Irish nationals or UK residents. Red-list passengers had previously waited in the same arrivals hall as those from lower-risk countries, sometimes for hours at a time, before heading to hotels for quarantine. They will now go through Terminal Three.

Eddie Gray appointed chair of Antivirals Taskforce
Eddie will be responsible for leading the work of the Taskforce and achieving its objective of having antiviral treatments ready for deployment by autumn 2021.

Life-saving vaccination programme to hit more major milestones as new vaccine added to armoury
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock will acknowledge the success of the UK’s biggest vaccine drive in history at a G7 meeting of Health Ministers this week.

One-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine approved by the MHRA
The vaccine has been approved after meeting the required safety, quality and effectiveness standards.

Step 3 COVID-19 restrictions posters: 17 May 2021
A poster displaying information about COVID-19 restrictions in England from 17 May.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Testing can help stomp out Covid in Cheshire East
A recent outbreak of Covid-19 in an area of Cheshire East has highlighted the important part local residents can play in helping to stomp out the virus through regular symptom-free testing. Regular lateral flow testing was successful in identifying a cluster of cases in Handforth where targeted testing revealed over 40 cases in just 10 days. This shows how quickly Covid can still spread and how important regular testing is to keep on top of outbreaks.

Macclesfield employment law team report growth in employment enquiries from North-west charities
The employment team at Cheshire law firm, SAS Daniels LLP, has reported that employment law enquiries from local charities has increased 15% in the past 12 months. The charities sector has been hard-hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with employment law specialists at SAS Daniels handling cases relating to the furlough scheme, management of sickness absence and flexible working, brought about by financial pressures and changing ways of working. Sadly, the team has also advised charities forced to close as a direct result of the pandemic.

£200k investment to improve local playing fields
Amateur football clubs will find some of Cheshire East’s sports pitches vastly improved thanks to investment by Cheshire East Council, the Premier League, the Football Association and the government’s Football Foundation.

BUSINESS:

HMRC: If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.
Your business will be affected by the new rules if you:

buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK
send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country
haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU.

HMRC understand this means a lot of changes are needed and recognise that the trading environment is particularly challenging for many businesses at the moment. That is why HMRC is offering to help you in different ways. You can now apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including training or professional advice to adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU. Applications must be received before 3??0?? Ju??ne.

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. Claims for periods in April are now closed, but if you need to make a change because you didn’t claim enough you can do this until?? ?11??.59pm tonight, Fri??day???? ?28???? ?May. Claims for periods in May and June are both open.
For the latest information, join our live webinar. You can ask questions throughout using the on-screen text box, although we can’t discuss personal circumstances.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme webinar – Register here– we’ll look at:

who can claim
who you can claim for
how to calculate what you can claim
how to apply.

There are useful handouts for you to download 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 under 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.

We’ll continue to review our webinars to give the most up-to-date information, and welcome your feedback at the end of the session too.

COMMUNITY:

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.

Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 11 June 2021
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering two weeks from the period 26 to 30 May 2021 and 2 to 6 June 2021 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.

Domestic abuse: how to get help
Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse – guidance restructured and reordered to improve layout. Some information moved to a new page about sources of support for specific situations.

CONSTRUCTION:

Glenigan: Civil Engineering project starts up by 113%Civil Engineering construction project-starts achieved the greatest growth of any sector during the three months to May, with the number of starts rising 113% against the previous year and 23% compared to the preceding three months, and even more encouragingly, 58% up on two years ago.

EDUCATION:

Reported coronavirus (COVID-19) notifications by registered early years and childcare settings
This data is published fortnightly. It gives the number of registered early years and childcare providers reporting one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) by week – added data for weeks beginning 3 and 10 May.

Summer schools programme
Details of the summer schools programme for secondary schools including funding, requirements for running a summer school and best practice evidence – added clarification that schools may include pupils from any of their year groups (response to queries from schools) and that schools can pay their staff an agreed flat rate rather than payment at salary, expectations for the June confirmation form for schools, how and when schools can bid for additional places and links to more resources. We have added new content to reflect changes to SEND/AP funding and new funding for upper schools and new schools. We have also added the conditions of funding for schools and local authorities.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC)
Guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Sustained community transmission is occurring across the UK – updated to add requirements on local risk assessments and information around use of respiratory protective equipment and valved respirators. Clarified glove use in amber pathway.

Surge testing for new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants
How ‘surge testing’ and genomic sequencing are being used in locations in England where coronavirus (COVID-19) variants have been identified – updated the locations using surge testing as follows: amended Bedford Borough Council and Hillingdon Council; added Hampshire County Council (targeted areas across the Hart District, Rushmoor Borough and the Surrey border), Kirklees Council, Lancashire County Council, London Borough of Hounslow, and North Tyneside Council; removed Hackney Council, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Worcestershire County Council.

JUDICIARY:

Courts and tribunals additional capacity
A list of additional facilities open to support the courts and tribunals estate.

PROPERTY:

Stamp Duty – Government to set out response after calling for change
The government is to answer a call made in an online petition for stamp duty to apply when contracts are exchanged, rather than at the point of completion. Well over 12,600 people have a signed a formal petition on the government website seeking the tax – and therefore, in the current circumstances, the stamp duty holiday as well – to apply when contracts are exchanged. Surveyor Christopher Holland, who initiated the petition in the early spring, says some buyers are being trapped because of rapidly rising prices, forcing them to miss out on the tax break when their purchases suddenly break the £500,000 holiday threshold. The issue is now coming to a head because the stamp duty holiday’s main phase ends on June 30, only four weeks from now.

RETAIL:

Wickes reveals sales growth of more than 45% as profit predictions build
A UK home improvement retailer has announced that its sales have grown by more than 45 per cent since the beginning of the year. Wickes Group, which has approximately 230 stores across the country, saw like for like sales growth of 45.7 per cent in the 21 weeks to 22 May compared to the same period last year. It said that trading was “notably strong” through April, being driven by sales volumes in local trade and DIY as stores reopened, alongside continued digital demand. Following the boost in April, it added that trading in May settled back in line with expectations.

TRAVEL:

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 – ‘If you intend to stay in the UK’ section – updated guidance on being able to exceptionally make an application in the UK under Covid-19 concessions.

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 (no earlier than 21 June):

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

Media and Marketing:

Prolific North are publishing daily updates on their blog as to how Covid-19 is impacting on the marketing, media and technology industries

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.