3rd April: Coronavirus Latest Updates

As of latest official figures released, 163,194 (152,979) people have been tested, 33,718 (29,474) tested positive and very sadly a total of 2,921 (2,352) have now passed away.

*previous day’s figures in brackets

The message from Government has not changed but is amplified:
‘Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save lives’.

3rd April

2nd April: Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by: Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Addressing the media, Mr Hancock announced:

45m pieces of PPE equipment have been distributed across the UK
PPE has been upgraded to protect in all circumstances
Healthcare services in need of PPE can call a helpline
£300m made available to community pharmacies
Writing off £13.6b of historical NHS debt
A 5-pillar strategy to increase testing and the UK’s testing capabilities
A pledge to deliver 100,000 tests every day across all 5 pillars by the end of the month

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 2 April 2020

Health Secretary sets out plan to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day

New 5-pillar plan outlines national effort to increase testing to 100,000 a day across the UK this month.

£300 million announced for community pharmacies to support them during coronavirus outbreak

£300 million in funding will ensure community pharmacies can continue to carry out essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

NHS to benefit from £13.4 billion debt write-off

Health Secretary announces over £13 billion of debt will be written off as part of a major financial reset for NHS providers.

Declaration by NATO Foreign Ministers on the coronavirus pandemic

Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers: 2 April 2020

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published new page on Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) tests and testing kits

Almost £400 million to keep England’s buses running

Greater funding to keep bus routes running during the coronavirus pandemic.

Criminals target members of the public with scam emails

Action Fraud has received 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak. This is a fake email and your money will only end up in the hands of a criminal.

Emergency business loan scheme revamped after criticism

The changes to the business interruption loan scheme will mean more businesses are able to access financial support during the lockdown.

Update on Cheshire businesses grant funding payments:

The grant funds, designed to assist qualifying Cheshire businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis, will be available for businesses to access as soon as the monies have cleared their bank accounts which may vary according to the bank provider.

The Government have also released a set of frequently asked questions to support businesses to understand the grant schemes and these can be found https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/covid-19-grant-funding-schemes-frequently-asked-questions-faqs

The new system will also generate a form and send it out to businesses if their information is incomplete or incorrect – it is important that businesses respond to these forms quickly to avoid delay in any payments they may be eligible for https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-grant-funding-guidance-for-businesses

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding

Guidance for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). Version 3 published with updates on State Aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, new annexes on state aid, Spotlight, and post payment checks, clarification of eligibility of charities.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for local authorities

Funding break down by local authority

Business rates: expanded retail discount – guidance

Guidance updated to confirm that the government’s assessment that the expanded retail discount is not a state aid, and that local authorities should therefore award relief to all eligible properties.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for businesses

HMRC are delivering a programme of webinars on measures to support employers, employees and the self-employed through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. You can watch a video of the first recorded webinar and register for future webinars using the link: bit.ly/HMRCWebinar

Personal protective equipment (PPE): export control process

Information for economic operators who will temporarily need a licence to export PPE outside the EU, EFTA member states and certain other territories.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes

How to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.

BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker

First results show heavy toll on UK business communities as majority of firms face cash flow crisis

2nd April

Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by: Business Secretary Alok Sharma in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and joined by Dr Yvonne Doyle – medical director of Public Health England.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/business-secretarys-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-1-april-2020

From today businesses will start benefiting from £22 billion in the form of business rates relief. Grants of up to £25,000 are being paid into the bank accounts of the smallest high street firms; as of today, local authorities have received more than £12 billion.

Government Guide to accessing grant funding

Access an easy to follow guide on who is eligible for grant funding and how to access funding grant

The Government have also released a set of frequently asked questions to support businesses to understand the grant schemes and these can be found: https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/covid-19-grant-funding-schemes-frequently-asked-questions-faqs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding

High street benefits from £22 billion grants and business rates package

From 1 April, high streets begin to receive £22 billion coronavirus boost, with grants of up to £25,000 already being paid into bank accounts of high street businesses.

Chancellor waives duties and VAT on vital medical imports

Chancellor waives import taxes on vital medical equipment including ventilators, coronavirus testing kits and protective clothing. Find out more here.

COVID-19: Call for rapid sanitising technology for ambulances

Do you have an innovative or novel approach to get ambulances cleaner quicker to help combat Coronavirus? Open Call.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures

Updated guidance for local authorities, early years settings and childminders about childcare provision to clarify the income support available and the requirements for providing safe, quality care for vulnerable and critical workers’ children.

Construction industry – updated Site Operating Procedures

The Government has confirmed that construction sites should continue to operate during the current Coronavirus pandemic. Alok Sharma, the Secretary of State for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, confirmed that the Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council are aligned with Public Health England (PHE) guidance that must be implemented in the workplace. In response to feedback, the Site Operating Procedures Version 2 has now been published

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people

Questions and answers about the educational provisions being made for vulnerable children and young people over the Easter holidays.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information

Notification of data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19).

1st April

Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by Michael Gove accompanied by Dr Jenny Harries and Professor Stephen Powis.

More NHS staff returning to the frontline
Testing capacity must increase – Health Secretary Matt Hancock calls for spare facilities in hospitals to be used for testing
Orders for ventilators been laced with consortia led by Ford, Airbus, the Formula 1 Racing teams including Mclaren, GKN Aerospace and Rolls Royce and Dysons.
1000’s of ventilators to be delivered to NHS next week
A team led by UCL, working with Mercedes Benz, will produce 10,000 new CPAP devices to support affected patients
Rapid clinical trials that may be able to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on patients
Delivering food and prescription drugs to 1.5m of those self-isolating for 3 months
Measures being taken to support all those in need
Military – helicopters stationed on standby at bases across the UK
Full transcript

Stephen Powis – helping to reduce the number of deaths and pressure on the NHS is vital. Use of transport has reduced dramatically indicating people are heeding advice and reducing contact. Less contact = less infected cases; report of hospital admissions and mortality rate.

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 31 March 2020

Charts showing the progress of Covid-19 in the UK as of 31st March.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding

Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support grant funding – guidance for businesses

The Government has provided clearer guidelines for trades people who are allowed to work in people’s homes as long as they or the people in the house don’t have symptoms of Coronavirus or if there’s anyone in the house who should be self-isolating:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others#going-to-work

The same document also provides a little clarification for the person with elderly people in their household.

Secretary of State pays tribute to construction industry

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has written an open letter to UK construction thanking the industry for all its help in the current crisis.

The letter also confirms the Government’s current official policy on keeping construction sites open. The full text of the letter dated March 31

Contactless spending limit increased to £45 across UK

The spending limit for contactless card payments has increased from £30 to £45 across the country following action by the payments industry to increase the contactless limit as part of the financial services industry’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/press/press-releases/contactless-limit-uk-be-increased-45

Status of Phase 1 clinical trials in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Government has written to all Phase I accredited units conducting early phase clinical trials to seek confirmation that all trials have undergone a risk assessment in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19) and the current government advice.

COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing

Advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): recreational general aviation

Guidance on recreational general aviation (GA) flying during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the construction sector

Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to the UK’s construction sector.

Extract: To help ensure that it is safe for you to operate in your workplace, the industry has worked to develop Site Operating Procedures (SOP), which were published by the Construction Leadership Council. These align with the latest guidance from Public Health England. As this health guidance updates, the SOP will reflect any changes.

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Government producing guidance for industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Change made: added a link to Exceptional GMP flexibilities for medicines imported from third countries during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, to the Medicines Regulation section.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health professionals and other organisations. Change made: Added guidance for care of the deceased.

Governments plan delays on import tax collection
https://www.export.org.uk/news/498375/Governments-plan-delays-on-import-tax-collection.htm

Big names of UK engineering in push to make 30,000 ventilators
https://www.ft.com/content/1125e39e-8a76-4769-b6ca-f482efca5bf5

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Government guidance for industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Added link to news story on approval of new life-saving breathing aid to help keep coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of intensive care.

Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers

Information for parents and carers about the closure of schools and other educational settings following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Added section on parental support for keeping children safe online.
Supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak

A joint statement from the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, the Minister for Care, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families.

MHRA approves new life-saving breathing aid to help keep coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of intensive care

Adapted breathing aid developed by UCL, UCLH and Mercedes Formula One provides vital technology to NHS.

31st March: Latest news

On 30^th March, UK Government’s 5pm coronavirus media update was presented by the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab.

Mr Raab said that the latest Government figures showing 1,408 UK deaths from coronavirus offered a ‘powerful reminder’ of the importance of following the official advice on social distancing – ‘We must stay at home to protect our NHS and save lives.”

He thanked all those on the front line, not just NHS and care staff, but ‘teachers, supermarket workers and the UK’s diplomatic network’.

The Foreign Secretary outlined the extensive work being done to get stranded Britons back to the UK and announced a new arrangement, including working with BA, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet2 and Titan to bring home the tens of thousands of stranded British travellers including young backpackers and elderly people on cruise ships.

He said he had so far spoken to 20 foreign ministers to arrange repatriations. UK travellers, if they haven’t already done so, should check Foreign Office Travel Advice and that advice is under constant review, and it can help travellers to find out more details of how to access the flights under this arrangement.

Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance also addressed the Press Briefing and presented slides detailing the spread of the virus. Sir Patrick said there had been a ‘dramatic reduction’ in social contact since lockdown measures were put in place last week.

He added that the number of people admitted to hospital with the virus was expected to continue to increase over the next two to three weeks, before it hopefully stabilised and reduced. During that time it is important that we continue to self-isolate, maintain social distancing – the outbreaks expected over the next 2 – 3 weeks are not an indication that the current advice is not working but that it takes time for the virus to manifest itself.

New Government partnership with airlines to fly back more tourists stranded abroad
The Foreign Office has announced a new Government partnership with airlines to fly back more tourists stranded abroad due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) government-assisted return by air: letter to the airline industry

The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Transport explain the new government-industry partnership to help stranded British travellers to return.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding

Coronavirus (COVID-19): free school meals guidance

Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Added guidance on school food contracts and the national voucher scheme, including how to order. Also added a question and answer section.

Voucher scheme launches for schools providing free meals

Weekly shopping vouchers worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to Coronavirus.

Business Support Outside of Government

The Government is working closely with Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations to support the national response to coronavirus, including ensuring messages from Government are heard by all businesses and that business voices are heard by Government. This link list of organisations you can speak with to get advice. Many of these websites also include sector specific guidance and Q&A.

Exemptions from Devices regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Guidance on the fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19 outbreak. In this exceptional situation, MHRA may authorise you to supply a non-CE marked device in the interest of the protection of health.

Closing certain businesses and venues – compliance

This document provides guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures. As of 26 March 2020, new Regulations extending the restrictions are now enforceable by law due to the threat to public health. New information on compliance has been added to the guidance.

Intellectual Property Office services

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Intellectual Property Office have made a number of alterations to their services. This includes alterations to trademarks and designs, patents and interrupted days.

Renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities

This new guidance provides advice to landlords and tenants on the provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020, and further advice for landlords, tenants and local authorities more broadly about their rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do

The Cabinet Office have produced guidance around the frequently asked questions around the coronavirus outbreak that businesses might like to share with their employees. Find more information here.

COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people

Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK, including children, and protecting older people and vulnerable people. Added new easy-read guidance on ‘Staying at home’ and ‘Keeping away from other people’.

FAQs

If you have any other questions, here is a link to frequently asked questions on the business support hub: https://bit.ly/3aoIAWV

COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable

Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Call for businesses to help make NHS ventilators

The Government is looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components.

Temporary approval of home use for both stages of early medical abortion

Temporary approval of women’s homes and the homes of registered medical practitioners as classes of place for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks.

Offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business

Use this service to tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. The support needed includes things like:

medical testing equipment
medical equipment design
protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
hotel rooms
transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
manufacturing equipment
warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
social care or childcare

To offer support click here.

Temporary changes to Right to Work (RTW) checks during the coronavirus outbreak

Since 30 March 2020, Right to Work checks have been temporarily adjusted to make it easier for employers to carry them out during the coronavirus outbreak. Until further notice, employers do not need to see original documents and can complete Right to Work checks over video calls.

Prospective workers are now able to submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have the right to work. Checks continue to be necessary and it is an offence to knowingly employ or let property to anyone who does not have legal immigration status in the UK.

If prospective or existing employees cannot provide any of the accepted documents, employers should use the Employer Checking Service. Once the temporary changes end, employers will be asked to carry out prescribed checks on existing employees who started work during the pandemic.

Further guidance on what this means for employers can be found on GOV.UK.
A condensed Fact Sheet on RTW checks can be found by clicking here.

New Updates and Guidance

Business Support FAQs

Frequently asked questions for businesses and employers, on business closures and stay at home, and on the self-employment income support scheme, are available on the business support website.

Destroying spoilt beer during coronavirus (COVID-19)

HMRC has introduced a temporary measure to help brewers and publicans in the destruction of spoilt beer during the coronavirus outbreak.

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Guidance has been produced for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including information on:

Supporting and authorising the development of vaccines
Clinical trials of new medicines
Managing the supply of medicines and healthcare products
British Pharmacopoeia products and services during the COVID-19 outbreak,
new guidance on medical devices clinical investigations, and
new guidance for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) facilities.

MHRA also provide information to patients, manufacturers and healthcare professionals through their established information channels and alert systems.

30th March: Latest news

Both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary are in isolation having both tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.

Health News:

In Sunday’s press conference, Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick re-emphasised the importance for us to ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives’.

PPE – across all parts of the UK, procedures are in place to move forward on an emergency footing, bringing together the emergency services, local councils supported by the armed forces using a coordinated approach across the country working 24×7 to get supplies out to 58,000 front line workers: NHS trusts, social workers and health centres including GP surgeries.

Protecting the most vulnerable – last week the PM said 1.5m people must stay isolating at home – 1m have been written to with details of who to contact for help via a dedicated phone line and online. Food Packages of essentials will be available along with prescription deliveries. 12,000 returning NHS staff been deployed this weekend. 750,000 people have signed up as NHS volunteers.

First food parcels delivered to clinically vulnerable people

Case numbers will rise: People need to realise that case numbers are going to keep going up for the next 10 days in spite of the lockdown, because of spread that has already happened and the time it takes for the virus to take hold. It is important that people understand this; we need to guard against people starting to think the lockdown is not working while this happens.

Mercedes F1 team engineer new Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing aid

Already used in hospitals, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing aids – CPAPs – push oxygen into the lungs without the need for a ventilator and could be a life saver in the fight against Coronavirus. The current model has been modified by the Mercedes F1 engineers and is currently in testing. Up to 1,000 of the CPAP machines can be produced per day by Mercedes-AMG-HPP, beginning in a week’s time.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has already given its approval for their use.

Specification for Rapidly Manufactured CPAP System to be used during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Business Support

Cheshire East Council launch ‘business helping business’ scheme

The Council have launched a programme for businesses in Cheshire East to support one another and connect those in need of support with other organisations that may be able to help during these difficult times.

Business helping business scheme launches for Cheshire East

Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Big Four banks have agreed not to take personal guarantees as security for lending below £250,000.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Job Retention Scheme

The Treasury has given further details on the coronavirus job retention scheme. Employer national insurance and pension contributions will be covered by the Government for furloughed employees. People who have been furloughed can volunteer for the NHS with no risk to their pay.

HMG updated guidance for furloughed workers / job retention scheme

Annual leave

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has made an announcement alongside the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs on rules around annual leave requirements being relaxed. Workers who have not taken their statutory annual leave allowance will be able to carry it over into the next two years.

Annual leave rules relaxed to support key sectors

HSE support for hand sanitiser manufacturers

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken steps to support hand sanitiser manufacturers as UK production is increasing to tackle Coronavirus.

By easing regulations, new suppliers and businesses that produce ingredients for hand sanitiser will be able to bring their products to market in a matter of days.

Government is also easing administrative requirements and barriers to imports without compromising on safety.

https://www.hsmsearch.com/HSE-supports-hand-sanitiser-manufacturers

Inspection waiver for tank vehicles

Notice allowing tank vehicles, with extended roadworthiness test certificates, to remain in service and on our roads without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-inspection-waiver-for-tank-vehicles

Insolvency law

The government has amended insolvency law to help companies keep trading while they explore options for rescue.

Under the plans, the UK’s Insolvency Framework will add new restructuring tools, mirroring the USA’s Chapter 11 procedure, a model adopted by many other countries around the world.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

This weekend Public Health England has published new advice to support mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak. PHE has also updated the Every Mind Matters platform with specific advice on maintaining good mental wellbeing during the outbreak.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19#additional-advice-for-groups-with-specific-mental-health-needs

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/