June 26th – Coronavirus News Updates:

Latest UK data:

Total tests: 8,710,292 tests + 167,023

Positive tests: 307,980 have tested positive + 1,118 in last 24 hours

Loss of life: 43,230 across all settings, (+ 149 on previous day)

UK HEADLINES:

Review of two metre social distancing guidance
Review of two metre social distancing guidance and summary of review findings.
Scientific evidence:
Physical distancing is one of a number of measures that can help to reduce the incidence of COVID-19. There is evidence that the risk of transmission increases by 2-10 times at 1m compared to 2m and the potential for higher occupancy at 1m distancing will also increase risk if there are no mitigations. However, mitigations may reduce the level of risk at 1m so that it is broadly equivalent to being 2m apart. This is reflected in COVID-Secure guidance, which makes provision for when 2m distancing is not possible in sectors that are currently open.
Economic and social impacts:
The social, economic, and health impacts of changing the 2m guidance are not evenly distributed. People employed in closed sectors are more likely to be young, not have a degree⁴, and to work in low-skilled occupations. COVID-19 death rates are higher among older people, people in Black and Asian ethnic groups, and for men. It will continue to be important to advise medically vulnerable people to avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings. High level distributional impacts of changing social distance guidance were considered within the review and an equalities impact analysis will be conducted on all changes to the restrictions.

Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in England
Driving lessons and theory tests will restart on Saturday 4 July 2020 in England, and car driving tests will restart from Wednesday 22 July 2020. The rule applies to all types of driver and motorcycle training in England, including private practice with someone you live with or in your support bubble. Theory tests will restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July, which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.

Shopping centre owner Intu warned this morning that it is “likely” to go into administration.
The company has been in talks with lenders in a bid to agree a financial restructuring deal. Today it said: “Discussions have continued with the intu Group’s creditors. Unfortunately, insufficient alignment and agreement has been achieved on such terms. The Board is therefore considering the position of intu with a view to protecting the interests of its stakeholders. This is likely to involve the appointment of administrators. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.”
KPMG is on standby to take over running the business.

UK must prepare for second virus wave – health leaders
Health leaders are calling for an urgent review to determine whether the UK is properly prepared for the “real risk” of a second wave of coronavirus.

In an open letter published in the British Medical Journal, ministers were warned that urgent action would be needed to prevent further loss of life. The presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Nursing, Physicians, and GPs all signed the letter.

Quarantine rules set by UK to be lifted for many European countries
UK holidaymakers could be able to travel to most of Western Europe this summer without having to quarantine. Ministers are finalising plans for a series of “travel corridors” that will mean people arriving into the UK will not need to self-isolate. Participating countries could include France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey and Finland – but not Portugal. Restrictions for these countries are expected to be lifted in early July. The reason Portugal will probably not be included is due to a rise in the number of new cases in and around Lisbon.

10 businesses still not allowed to reopen
While pubs and hairdressers in England have been given the all clear by government to reopen on 4 July, many business owners were disappointed to learn they must keep their doors closed for now. “It was a shock. I can understand the logical argument but personally it feels very irritating and disappointing,” says Adam Grant, a tattoo artist and studio manager at Tattoo UK in Uxbridge, west London. He says it was frustrating to hear that hairdressers can open on 4 July, while tattoo parlours must remain closed. It was especially irritating since tattoo parlours already have measures in place to prevent-cross contamination he says, such as the disposable gloves and aprons which artists must wear.

Pavement licences: draft guidance
Draft guidance to accompany pavement licensing proposals introduced in the Business and Planning Bill.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to reopen from 4 July
The new guidance sets out a range of measures for pubs and restaurants to become Covid-19 secure, including:

requiring use of table service where possible instead of ordering at the bar and assigning a single staff member per table
encouraging use of contactless ordering from tables where available, such as through an app
discouraging non-essential trips by staff within venues, such as between the kitchen and front of house, by using radios and other electronic devices to communicate
encouraging customers to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the venue
providing clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene as people arrive on the premises, with signage and visual aids

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government
Guidance for local councils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added links to: Opening businesses and venues from 4 July; Meeting people from outside your household from 4 July; £105 million to keep rough sleepers safe; Plans to ease guidance for those shielding

Hot weather warning issued to people shielding and more vulnerable groups
Public Health England issues a heat warning encouraging vulnerable people to take care during the exceptionally hot weather forecast this week.

Jet2 announce redundancies as travel sector sees demand for flights fall
The airline said the ongoing pandemic had caused it to “reassess and reduce” its flying programme for the rest of 2020 and for 2021. “Sadly, the overall effect of these reductions has been the need to propose a number of colleague redundancies across our business,” a statement said.

New government guidance supports reopening of tourism and visitor attractions on July 4
Guidance on Tourism and the Visitor Economy, published today, will help to get the tourism sector back up and running so the public can safely take domestic holidays and visit attractions on days out

Antibody tests play an increasing role in halting the pandemic

Antibodies tests indicating who has already contracted coronavirus have been touted as playing an “increasingly important role” in halting the pandemic. The government has bought 10million of them, in the hope they will identify who may have a level of protection against the virus. But a group of scientists is warning the tests are being rolled out to NHS and care staff in England without “adequate assessment”. A positive test does not prove immunity or whether a person will not pass on the virus to others . As a result, the scientists say, they offer “no benefit” to hospitals and care staff. The results do not change what personal protective equipment staff must wear, for example.

Slides and datasets on coronavirus: 24 June 2020
Slides and datasets on coronavirus

Answers to the most common topics asked about by the public for the coronavirus press conference

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences

Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Transport for the North: Economic recovery plan for the North
“Rebuild and transform the North by fast tracking transport investment to support our economy” – Northern leaders tell Government. The North’s political and business leaders are calling on the Government for rapid transport investment that will help rebuild and transform the North of England’s economy post-COVID-19 and lay the foundations for sustainable future growth. From changing ticketing on public transport and launching low carbon pilot schemes, to speeding up delivery of shorter-term road and rail improvements, and accelerating Northern Powerhouse Rail, Transport for the North has written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP setting out 13 key areas that will help rebuild and transform the North.

Active travel to form part of Cheshire East’s economic recovery
Cheshire East Council is increasing focus on active travel as part of its plans to support the borough’s economic recovery following the Covid-19 lockdown. The council is considering a series of projects to be delivered during the summer following contributions from town and parish councils.

Macclesfield Hospitality Action group aims to support sector’s recovery
A new group has been formed to take action and ensure the recovery of the hospitality sector in Macclesfield following the coronavirus lockdown. Macclesfield Hospitality Action comprises businesses within or support the sector, which has been one of the hardest hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As restrictions ease, the focus is now on how businesses can reopen safely, and successfully.

COMMUNITY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): keeping children safe online
New information on apps to help children stay safe online added to advice and guidance to help parents and carers to keep children safe online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Extra funding for service charities as veterans’ support is stepped up
Today the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and the MOD have announced that 100 Armed Forces charities will benefit from nearly £6million of extra funding to support serving personnel, veterans and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Meeting people from outside your household
How you can see people that you do not live with while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) – updated to ‘travelling to form a support bubble’ section to state that if you live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.

EDUCATION:

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance for further education (FE) providers on maintaining education and skills training, changes to funding arrangements, data collections and assessment – updated the wording to reflect the changes following publication of PPN 04/20 effective from 1 July to 31 October 2020. PPN 04/20 updates and builds on provision in PPN 02/20 that expires on 30 June 2020. The changes are minor and include transition planning.

ESFA post-16 provider relief scheme (July to October 2020)
Information about support available for post-16 training providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added updated policy documents for ESFA post-16 provider relief scheme (July to October 2020) which is now open.

ESFA ESF provider relief scheme 2 (July to October 2020)
Information about support available to European Social Fund (ESF) contractors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added updated policy documents for ESFA ESF post-16 provider relief scheme (July to October 2020) which is now open.

Alternative provision: year 11 transition funding
Sets out the financial support available to alternative provision (AP) schools and colleges to support current year 11 students into post-16 education – added the claim form and more details on eligibility, what you’ll get and how to access the funding.

Online education resources for home learning
Online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated with further resources and additional tips to help parents and carers with home education.

Claiming exceptional costs associated with coronavirus (COVID-19)
Instructions on how to claim exceptional costs related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

TFC: Modelling and behavioural science responses to scenarios for relaxing school closures, 1 May 2020
A summary paper by the Interdisciplinary Task and Finish Group on the Role of Children in Transmission (TFC) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

School funding: exceptional costs associated with coronavirus (COVID-19)
Added information on the impact of schools’ financial reserves on eligibility for this funding and details of what support schools can access for the loss of self-generated income, as it is not covered by this fund. We have also amended the content to confirm that schools should proceed with the phased wider opening and any measures associated with it within existing resources, as any costs incurred as part of that process cannot be claimed through this fund.

COVID Summer Food Fund
Guidance for schools and local authorities on providing vouchers to support pupils eligible for free school meals over the summer holiday period during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Providing free school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added further information on the Covid Summer Food Fund, free meals in further education, the final ordering timescales for the national voucher scheme, ordering vouchers in multiples of £5, and an update on school food contracts to include further guidance from the Cabinet Office on Procurement Policy Note 04/20.

EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:

Government introduces legislation to relieve burden on businesses and support economic recovery
The government has introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament. The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill received royal assent on 25 June and is now an Act.

Rules that have been relaxed to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
A list of the rules that have been temporarily relaxed to make it easier for businesses to continue working through the disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) – added information about changes to corporate insolvency and governance rules.

European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19 – new ERDF letter to partners published on 26 June 2020 providing an update on the ERDF Programme response to COVID-19.

Has coronavirus killed globalisation: speech by Laura Clarke
British High Commissioner Laura Clarke ponders the changes that COVID-19 has brought to the world and if it has destroyed globalisation.

Applying for a moratorium under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
How to apply for breathing space to consider a rescue plan for your company, under measures to support companies and other types of business in financial difficulty.

Procurement Policy Note 04/20: Recovery and Transition from COVID-19
This note sets out information and guidance for public bodies on payment of their suppliers to ensure service continuity during the coronavirus outbreak – banner added to give clarification for state-funded schools and post-16 educational establishments.

Procurement Policy Note 02/20: Supplier relief due to COVID-19
This Procurement Policy Note (PPN) sets out information and guidance for public bodies on payment of their suppliers to ensure service continuity during and after the current coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak – updated the wording to reflect the changes following publication of PPN 04/20 effective from 1 July to 31 October 2020. PPN 04/20 updates and builds on provision in PPN 02/20 that expires on 30 June 2020. The changes are minor and include transition planning.

Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for 80% of your employee’s wages plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions, if you have put them on furlough because of coronavirus (COVID-19) – added a link in the ‘If you make an error when claiming’ section to a new page called ‘Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back’ which tells you how to pay back the grant to HMRC if you’ve overclaimed through the scheme.

Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back
Find out how to pay all or some of your grant back if you’ve overclaimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Sending your forms to Companies House during the coronavirus outbreak
As an emergency response to coronavirus (COVID-19), we’ve developed a temporary online service to upload a number of completed forms and send them to Companies House digitally – the latest release of the service allows users to upload their change of constitution forms.

Our civil servants have risen to the occasion of the pandemic
GOV.UK: Our exceptional civil servants have stepped up to and met the challenges of this unprecedented time head on.

European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19. The Q&As for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) have been updated.

Emergency cut in VAT planned to rescue ailing economy
Treasury officials along with HMRC have been told to prepare to cut VAT for a fixed period to help the economy rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, also discussed slashing business rates in private briefings last week, the Sunday Times reports. The cut to VAT would include zero rating more products as well as a cut to the headline rate. Other proposals being worked up include extending a scheme under which businesses can defer VAT for three months, cutting employer’s national insurance to encourage bosses to hold on to staff and introducing an employer’s national insurance holiday for new staff to encourage recruitment. Former chancellor Sajid Javid says in an interview with the same paper that VAT should be cut from 20% to 17% for a year, arguing that it would “turbocharge growth”.

Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’re an employer, find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – information added about employees who have transferred under the TUPE regulations

HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics and analysis
Data sources of numbers relating to the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers (section 1), virology (section 2), transmission (section 3) and clinical features (section 4).

BBC: Volunteers wanted for antibody test trials
Volunteers are being sought from NHS staff and other public service workers for a study into the effectiveness of Covid-19 antibody home testing kits. A number of the rapid response kits are to be studied, including one from a consortium including Oxford University. The test to see if someone has already had coronavirus has been described by the prime minister as a game changer to get people back to work. Public Health England has begun looking for 2,500 volunteers for the study.

Experts have questioned the usefulness of the tests because little has been known about whether antibodies protect people from the virus but the government said the study would help its understanding of Covid-19. A Department of Health spokesman said: “No reliable home test has yet been found, and we do not know whether antibodies indicate immunity from reinfection or transmission. “This research is part of our ongoing surveillance work to increase our understanding of how to tackle this virus.”

Health Secretary calls on country to get tested as access is expanded even further
Six new ‘walk through’ local testing sites are now offering appointments to people in England, with the capacity to test hundreds of people each day.

Major milestone hit as 2 billion items of PPE delivered
Two billion items of personal protective equipment (PPE) have now been delivered to the frontline since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated guidance to reflect the latest social distancing measures.

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 – updated guidance to reflect the latest social distancing measures

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested – replaced the following attachments with updated registration link: ‘guidance on Randox testing’ and ‘how to use Randox test kits’.

How tests and testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) work
The different types of tests and testing kits for COVID-19, and the specifications for manufacturers – added new Target Product Profile document for Point of Care SARS-CoV-2 detection tests

Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 26 June 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 18 June to 21 June 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by occupation, England and Wales: deaths registered up to and including 25 May 2020
Provisional analysis of deaths involving the coronavirus (COVID-19), by different occupational groups, among males and females aged 20 to 64 years in England and Wales.

National COVID-19 surveillance reports
National COVID-19 surveillance reports, including weekly summary of findings monitored through various COVID-19 surveillance systems added week 26 report, infographic and data table.

COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information
Weekly number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19 to PHE by local authorities, regions and PHE centres.

COVID-19 infection survey, England: provisional results, 25 June 2020
This release provides initial data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. This survey is being delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and Public Health England.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing home care
Information for those providing personal care to people living in their own home during the coronavirus outbreak – updated ‘hospital discharge and testing’ section to state “anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms can now be tested, which includes individuals receiving home care. This can be accessed through the digital portal or by calling 119 to book testing”.

NHS test and trace statistics (England): 11 June to 17 June 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 3 of NHS test and trace contact tracing in England.

NHS test and trace statistics (England): methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the contact tracing data in its weekly reports – added new 2 new sections on testing, and new sections on ‘Number of people providing details of one or more recent close contacts’ and ‘Notes on interpreting against other statistics’.

Thousands to be offered repeat testing in care homes
10,000 residents and staff across over 100 care homes will be given coronavirus tests as part of a new surveillance study.

Transmission and susceptibility in children, 1 May 2020
Paper on transmission and susceptibility in children prepared for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

What is the evidence for transmission of COVID-19 by children (or in schools)?, 1 April 2020
Review prepared by UNCOVER on transmission by children.

SPI-M: The role of children in transmission, 16 April 2020
Paper prepared by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

CO-CIN: Investigating associations between ethnicity and outcome from COVID-19 – report to SAGE, 25 April 2020
Report considered by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

CO-CIN: Case fatality by age in hospitalised patients, 21 April 2020
Report provided to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

HOSPITALITY:

Quiet music and orders via app for venues reopening
Music should be kept quiet and customers encouraged to order through apps, under updated guidance for businesses reopening from 4 July. Pubs, restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers are among the venues which will be allowed to reopen in England. There is also advice to reconfigure seating, minimise self-service, cancel live acts and stagger arrivals. It comes after Boris Johnson announced sweeping changes to England’s lockdown, including a relaxing of the 2m rule. Meanwhile, the latest figures show a further 154 people have died with coronavirus in the UK, across all settings, taking the total to 43,081.

MANUFACTURING:

UK car production falls -95.4% in May as sector starts to recover
UK car manufacturing output fell -95.4% in May with just 5,314 vehicles rolling off production lines, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance was a slight improvement on April, when only 197 units were built but with factories still closed or running at reduced capacity it still marked the worst May since 1946. While some two thirds of the UK’s automotive plants started getting back to business during the month, capacity was severely held back by social distancing requirements and reduced demand, with key global markets only just beginning to reopen and the UK remaining in lockdown.¹ 4,260 cars were exported in May, most into the EU, the US and China, and with English car showrooms not reopening until 1 June, only 1,054 models were built for domestic buyers.

MEDIA & MARKETING:

There has never been better time for creative businesses to be investment-ready
John Moore, Senior Equity Advisor for the creative industries at GC Business Growh Hub, looks at the opportunities for creative businesses right now to grow and how it’s more important than ever to think about becoming investment-ready.

PROPERTY:

Distressed agents may benefit from latest commercial eviction ban
Estate agents facing crippling running costs as the wider impacts of the Coronavirus crisis hit home may benefit, at least in the short term, from new measures aimed at preventing High Street businesses being evicted this summer. The government has amended the Coronavirus Act and allied legislation to extend the de facto eviction ban ending from June 30 – just next week – to September 30. This means that no business will be forced out of its premises if they miss a payment in the next three months, says the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Covid-19 impact: will it lead to a rise in retail to resi conversions
One of the biggest debates as we ease out of lockdown and come to terms with the new normal has revolved around how to revive high streets across the country, which have taken a huge hit in recent months as most shops and all bars, restaurants, pubs, theatres, music venues and cultural buildings were forced to close their doors. The high street was struggling in a big way even before the pandemic hit, but the economic effects of coronavirus and the knock to consumer confidence could potentially prove devastating to an industry which employs a large chunk of people and plays a key role in the UK economy. While non-essential retail has been allowed to open since June 15, and pubs, restaurants and bars will follow from July 4, could it be the case that we will see more retail to resi conversions in the near future? Will the high street represent an opportunity for residential property investors as alternative solutions to high street units are sought?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on HM Land Registry’s services
How we are delivering our services during the coronavirus outbreak.
We added information on ‘Powers of attorney certified by legal executives’, ‘Electronically signed deeds’, how to ‘Lodge an application on behalf of another company’ and ‘Protecting interest by way of notice’.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 25 June 2020
In response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), The Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events – information on Temple Quay House being closed and not sending new appeals/documents via the post, it delays the process and puts our staff at risk.

Draft planning guidance to support the Business and Planning Bill
The Business and Planning Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on Thursday 25 June 2020. This draft guidance has been prepared to be read alongside a number of the planning measures set out in the Bill.

Protecting rough sleepers and renters: government response to the Select Committee report
A response by the government to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s report on protecting rough sleepers and renters.

RETAIL:

Shopping centre owner Intu warned this morning that it is “likely” to go into administration.
The company has been in talks with lenders in a bid to agree a financial restructuring deal. Today it said: “Discussions have continued with the intu Group’s creditors. Unfortunately, insufficient alignment and agreement has been achieved on such terms. The Board is therefore considering the position of intu with a view to protecting the interests of its stakeholders. This is likely to involve the appointment of administrators. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.”
KPMG is on standby to take over running the business.

TRANSPORT:

Transport use during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
To monitor the use of the transport system during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DfT provides statistics on transport use by mode, published every Wednesday.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Vehicles – Updated to reflect the change to the 2m rule and add guidance on support bubbles.

TRAVEL & TOURISM:

Air bridges announcement on or before 29^th June

Grant Shapps: “We want to make sure we are not re-infected either by Brits going abroad and coming back or people coming from those areas. The quarantine is serving that purpose, but we’re also aware there are areas where the virus is more under control and we are having conversations and I will be saying more about that on or by the 29th.”

ABTA unveils guide to help destinations ‘restart’ the economy
The guide, available for free to Abta members, covers topics such as the customer journey, management responsibility, risk assessment, health, safety and security, as well as communication and the prevention of the spread of infection. Abta’s Destinations team has created the guide with input from health and safety specialists such as BeSafe Ltd, IGI Ltd, Intertek Cristal, Preverisk Group, Professor Rodney Cartwright and Travelife for Accommodation.

Useful Links:

Cheshire East Council – Discretionary Fund
Businesses that have been unable to access other forms of Covid-19 support can apply for grants from a £4.68 million fund.
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covidDGS

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.

Cheshire East Council – Business rates grants
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/business_rates/business-rates-relief/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-business-rates-customers.aspx

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.