June 3rd – Coronavirus News Updates:

Latest data:

Total tests: 4,615,146 UK tests have been carried out (+ 135,643)

Positive tests: 277,985 have tested positive – (+ 1,613 on previous day)

Loss of life: 39,369 across all settings, (+ 324 on previous day)

Government daily briefings:

Tuesday 2nd June – Matt Hancock – Health Secretary:

Track & Trace: system now fully up and running
Those contacted by contact tracers are largely willing to isolate when asked
Public Health England report confirmed those who are older, male or from BAME backgrounds are at higher risk
ONS reports 48,106 death certificates mentioned Covid-19 up to 22 May, compared to 36,393 reported in the daily briefing
Government delivering 40,000 antibody tests a day for healthcare staff

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 2 June 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and Professor John Newton.

Monday 1st June – Matt Hancock – Health Secretary:

Anyone with symptoms should get a test through the NHS website or calling 119
Test & Trace programme: “capacity is high and initiative is working well”
7,500 clinicians in test & trace system
Local regulations could apply if spikes appeared regionally

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 1 June 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and Professor John Newton.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus – addition of slides and datasets for 1 June 2020.

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.

Sunday 31^st May – Robert Jenrick -Communities Secretary

From Monday 1^st June, guidelines for shielded eased in England & Wales
Next review will be on 15^th June and shielded may be lifted further from end June
Rough sleeping: Since the lockdown was introduced, accommodation hyas been provided for over 90% of rough sleepers
Aim to keep as many from returning to sleeping rough
£433m to be invested in new accommodation including 6,000 new supported homes
3,300 will be provided over the next 12 months plus support staff – £160m

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 31 May 2020
Press conference slides and datasets used by Dr Jenny Harries

Dame Louise Casey’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 31 May 2020
Statement from Dame Louise Casey, the Prime Minister’s advisor on rough sleeping, on the efforts to support rough sleepers during the coronavirus pandemic.

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.

Saturday 30^th May – Oliver Dowden – Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary:

Competitive sport to return behind closed doors from Monday 1^st June if safe to do so
Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula One, cricket, golf, rugby and snooker will return to TV screens from next week
Screening process for coronavirus symptoms at all venues, one-way system, minimal use of changing facilities
A third of football matches to finish the season will be free to air with live premier league football on the BBC
Financial benefits should be shared with lower clubs
From 1^st June, up to 6 people from different households can meet for exercise but they must remain 2 metres apart

Read Oliver Dowden’s full statement

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 30 May 2020

Friday 29^th May – Rishi Sunak – Chancellor:

Changes to the furlough scheme including asking for employer contributions from 1^st August
September – government will reduce its contribution to 70%
October – government reduces contribution to 60% and closure by end October
1st July – flexibility introduced to the furlough scheme enabling staff to return on a part-time basis
The old scheme will close on 30^th June; new employees entering furlough must do so by 10^th June in order to qualify
2.3m self-employed – extension to the scheme with 2^nd application opening in August for a final grant payment – 70% of 3 month’s average pay to a total of £6,570

Slides and datasets to accompany coronavirus press conference: 29 May 2020

UK HEADLINES:

Many changes have been introduced from 1^st June including:

Easing of lockdown for households including for the shielded
Some non-essential retailers are allowed to re-open, including outdoor markets and car showrooms
Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils are allowed to return to their primary school
Extension of the mortgage holiday by 3 months
Introduction of a new Flexible Furlough Scheme will be introduced with the present scheme ending on 30^th June, registrations by June 10th
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme is now live
Self Employed Income Support Scheme extended for 3 months
Some competitive sports will begin this week, including horse racing and football, behind closed doors and following strict guidelines

Lockdown measures eased across England for everyone – 1^st June
From today, groups of up to six people from outside one household can meet in private gardens for chats and barbecues provided those from different households stay two metres apart. But they would not be allowed to stay overnight, or go indoors other than to gain access to a garden, the PM said. Until now, families and friendship groups have only been able to meet with one other person outside their household, in public spaces such as parks, while obeying the two-metre rule.

Lockdown restrictions eased for shielded
2 million shielded may leave their home from 1st June accompanied by one other person from their household or if they live alone with one other person Vulnerable people in England who have been asked to remain at home since the coronavirus lockdown began will be able to go outdoors again from today. Those with families will be able to go out once a day with members of their household. People living alone can meet one other person from another household while maintaining social distancing.

Chancellor announces flexible furloughing and key dates
From 1st July 2020, employers will have the flexibility to bring previously furloughed employees back to work part-time – with the government continuing to pay 80% of wages for any of their normal hours they do not work up until the end of August.

Employer contributions

From August, the government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered.

in June and July, the government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 as well as employer National Insurance (ER NICs) and pension contributions for the hours the employee doesn’t work – employers will have to pay employees for the hours they work
in August, the government will continue to pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 but employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions – for the average claim, this represents 5% of the gross employment costs that they would have incurred if the employee had not been furloughed
in September, the government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee does not work – employers will pay ER NICs, pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% of the total up to a cap of £2,500
in October, the government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee does not work – employers will pay ER NICs, pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up 80% of the total up to a cap of £2,500
the cap on the furlough grant will be proportional to the hours not worked.

Important dates

It’s important to note that the scheme will close to new entrants from 30?? June. From this point onwards, you will only be able to furlough employees that you have furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30?? June.

This means that the final date that you can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10?? June for the current three-week furlough period to be completed by 30?? June. Employers will have until 31?? July to make any claims in respect of the period to 30?? June.

The Department for Health & Social Care has announced a £5m fund towards mental health projects
Voluntary organisations from across the country – such as local Mind organisations, Ambitious about Autism, Support After Rape and Sexual Violence, LGBT Foundation and Campaign Against Living Miserably – will receive a financial boost to expand their existing support services. This fund is administered by Mind as part of the Mental Health Consortia, made up of Mind, the Association of Mental Health Providers, Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, the National Survivor User Network and Rethink Mental Illness.

High street businesses and landlords are set to benefit from a new code of practice, to provide them with clarity and reassurance over rent payments.

A working group has been established by the government with the commercial rental sector to develop a code which encourages fair and transparent discussions between landlords and tenants over rental payments during the coronavirus pandemic and guidance on rent arrear payments and treatment of sub-letter and suppliers. This will enable collaboration and cooperation within the sector and help ensure no one part of the chain shoulders the full burden of payment.

Action taken to halt sales of finger-prick coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody testing kits

The MHRA is asking providers of laboratory-based COVID-19 antibody testing services using capillary blood collected by a finger-prick, to temporarily stop providing this service until home collection of this sample type has been properly assessed and validated for use with these laboratory tests. This does not affect rapid, point of care tests or laboratory tests performed using blood taken from the vein.

The National Trust, the biggest conservation charity in Europe, will start to reopen some of its gardens and sites from 3 June

That will only be the case in England and Northern Ireland however, since the lockdown hasn’t been eased to the same level in Wales and Scotland. The new booking system for these venues will be put in place on the 29 May to help people organise their visits.

Coronavirus Act report: May 2020
The first two-monthly report on which powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 are currently active.

Ministers ‘looking at ways to relax travel quarantine rule’

Plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine for the majority of people entering the country, including UK nationals, will be put before Parliament later. But in the face of criticism from some, including Conservative MPs, the BBC has learned the government is looking at ways it can be relaxed over the coming months. Critics fear the policy will cause huge damage to the aviation, travel and hospitality industries.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Around £18 million in Rates Relief Grants still unclaimed in Cheshire East
Around £18 million worth of grants are still unclaimed by businesses in the borough who are eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or are ratepayers in the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality sectors. While the council has made attempts to contact relevant businesses and has a team set up dedicated to doing so, a significant minority of eligible businesses have not responded.

Could opportunities open up for Northern businesses in wake of Covid-19?
Northern businesses are in position to take advantage of a number of potential opportunities post Covid-19, according to law firm Fieldfisher. They suggested that a relocation of business and talent away from London and the South East could take place, as largely office-bound working practices cease to be practical or desirable for employers and staff. Northern town centres and high streets could be reinvigorated with new types of business, as lockdown accelerates the shift from “bricks to clicks” in the retail and services sectors. Increased investment in digital connectivity, including fibre to the premises as part of the nationwide roll-out of 5G, would support the further modernisation of the northern economy.

Sustained rail investment vital to aid economic recovery, say Northern leaders
A sustained pipeline of rail investment is vital to aid the economic recovery of the North and unlock its potential, regional leaders have insisted. Transport for the North members have made a joint submission to the Integrated Rail Plan, calling for a sustained investment in the North’s rail network through a commitment to “quick win” projects and high-speed links. It says the North not only needs major projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 to be completed in full, but also local and regional improvements to the existing congested rail network to unlock freight and passenger capacity in the shorter term.

AGRICULTURE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
Update to Latest News with farm visits and inspections starting week commencing 1 June.

Over 3,800 bridging payments made to farmers and land managers in May 2020
Over the past month, payments have been made to all eligible outstanding claimants, meeting the RPA’s commitment to complete bridging payments by the end of May. The loans covered Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship 2019 payments, ensuring farmers and land managers are paid for the important work they do to protect the environment.

COMMUNITY:

Groups of up to six from different households can exercise outside under new rules
Gatherings of more than six people from different households are still not permitted. This means that people who play team sports can meet to train together and do things like conditioning or fitness sessions, although anything involving physical contact is not allowed. It will also allow parents to accompany their children to coaching sessions carried out on a one to one basis or in small groups. On 28 May the Prime Minister announced that groups of up to six people will be able to meet outdoors in England from 1 June, including in gardens and other private outdoor spaces, provided social distancing guidelines are followed. The changes are part of a carefully-designed package to ease the burdens of lockdown in a way that is expected to keep the R rate, the average number of secondary infections produced by 1 infected person, down.

Financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Funding updates made to news of the government’s pledge of £750 million to ensure VCSE can continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including £200 million for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with an additional £150 million from dormant bank and building society accounts.

£5 million funding given to mental health community projects
Community projects supporting people with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will benefit from their share of £5 million of additional funding.

Policing, protest and changes to COVID-19 control measures in the UK, 4 May 2020
Paper by the Security and Policing sub-group of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) / Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B).

SPI-B: The use of facemasks in a community setting, 20 April 2020
Return by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on the use of facemasks in a community setting.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Updated frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak to include new guidance.

Coronavirus – guidance on accessing green spaces safely
Updated the guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others to reflect that in England you can leave your home to exercise and spend time outdoors for recreation with your household or in groups of up to six people from outside your household.

CONSTRUCTION:

Cashflow fears spark call for another delay VAT payments
Industry leaders are calling for another delay to VAT changes which could see 150,000 construction companies face a 20% drop in cash flow.

The reverse charge VAT change was due to come into force last October but was pushed back a year following industry lobbying. Now construction leaders want to see it shifted back again to October 2021 “at the earliest” as the industry struggles to cope with the impact of Covid-19 on cash flow.

DEFENCE:

COVID Support Force: the MOD’s contribution to the coronavirus response
On 18 March the Defence Secretary announced new measures to enable armed forces personnel to support public services in response to the coronavirus outbreak. This has now been updated in accordance to the MOD’s coronavirus (COVID-19) support contributions as of 28 May 2020.

EDUCATION:

The National Foundation for Educational Research and Nuffield Health have released a report examining schools’ preparedness to opening more widely.
The findings highlight the challenges for school leaders around issues such as staffing, parental decisions and safety in relation to a phased return of whole year groups.

GMB POLL: More than 80% of parents not sending children back to school
A total of 1,601 members responded to a GMB Union survey launched on Friday May 29 – with a massive 1,307 saying they were not planning on sending their children back today.

Fewer than half of parents take up reopened childcare places
According to a survey by the Early Years Alliance, 66% of the 6,300 responses said they were planning to reopen, with 20% saying they would not and 15% saying they were undecided. Chief executive Neil Leitch stated ‘It is no exaggeration to say that the very future of the childcare sector is at risk’ as the survey also revealed just 40% of parents of under-fives say they will send their children back to nursery, preschool or childminders this week.

What parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated information for parents and carers about the wider opening of nurseries, schools and colleges, transport, attendance, free school meals and remote education including details about opening secondary schools to years 10 and 12 from 15 June and links to guidance on safer travel.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students
Guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus – updated information about Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS): Applications can now be made to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for a new ATAS certificate.

Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS)
The standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 updated to reflect wider opening of early years settings from 1 June 2020 and to provide a clarification on progress checks for children aged 2.

Student number controls
The measures to protect students and universities during the coronavirus outbreak, including temporary student number controls and additional places.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated guidance for further education (FE) providers on maintaining education and skills training, changes to funding arrangements, data collections and assessment – further information to plan for wider opening, including clarification on the total proportion of learners from eligible cohorts that should be in education settings at any one time.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students
Guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus –
added information on the extension of concessions from 31 May 2020 to 31 July 2020, updated list of NHS professions in which Tier 4 students can work full-time, as well as other extensions and concessions.

New guidance issued for further education and skills providers on return of students
On 24 May the Prime Minister announced that secondary schools could provide some contact for Year 10 and Year 12 students to help them prepare for exams next year, with a quarter of these students in at any point. For further education (FE) settings (including general further education colleges, sixth form colleges, and other providers) the equivalent approach applies and FE settings should plan on the basis that from the week commencing 15 June, they can broaden the number of 16 to 19 learners (equivalent to Y10/Y12 in schools and sixth forms) attending on site delivery. Remote education should remain the predominant mode of learning during this time. To help reduce the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk, the number of learners attending at any one time will be limited to a quarter of those on the first year of a two-year 16 to 19 study programme.

Protection of the public’s health and the most vulnerable must be an ‘absolute priority’ as lockdown eases, says BMA
“The protection of the public’s health must be the absolute priority in easing lockdown with a health-driven strategy that does not result in the spread of infection or risk a spike in cases. “Given what we now know about who is the most susceptible to Covid-19, it is crucial that this strategy adequately protects the most vulnerable and at-risk in society and that the public adheres to the new social distancing measures. “The new test and trace system is central to the easing of lockdown and as such, the Government must ensure that it has the capacity to meet demand. Additionally, local authorities and PHE units, many of whom are already overwhelmed, must have the resources and ability to respond to Covid-19 outbreaks at a local level in an agile and effective way.”

Modification notice: education health and care plans legislation changes
Secretary of State for Education issues a second notice to modify the duty relating to education, health and care (EHC) plans during the coronavirus outbreak.

School attendance: guidance for schools
Updated guidance to 30 June 2020 on using pupil registers and attendance codes, as well as setting school hours and term dates.

Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020
Next steps for the phased wider opening of educational and childcare settings updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government’s 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with wider opening of education and childcare settings.

Critical workers who can access schools or educational settings
List of critical workers (key workers) who can send their children to school or other educational settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – guidance updated to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister that the government’s 5 tests have been met and the decision, based on all the evidence, to move forward with the wider opening of education and childcare settings.

EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS / FINANCE:

Draft legislation: Taxation of coronavirus (COVID-19) support of payments HMRC are inviting views on the technical effectiveness of this measure, which ensures that grants within the legislation are subject to tax. These grants are treated as income where the business is within the scope of either Income Tax or Corporation Tax.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing – Guidance has been updated Updates include information about how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing, what pension trustees may do whilst on furlough and the eligibility of TUPE. From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have previously been furloughed for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for their normal hours not worked. When claiming the CJRS grant for furloughed hours; employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of a week. The scheme will close to new entrants from 30 June 2020. From this point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full 3-week period prior to 30 June. This means that the final date by which an employer can furlough an employee for the first time will be 10 June 2020, in order for the current three week furlough period to be completed by 30 June. Employers will have until 31 July to make any claims in respect of the period to 30 June. Further guidance on flexible furloughing and how employers should calculate claims will be published on 12 June 2020

HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
HMRC data about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the VAT payments deferral scheme – published updated data (up to end of Sunday 31 May) for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and published new data for the VAT payments deferral scheme.

Check if you can get Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about temporary changes that may affect you if you’re applying for, or already getting, Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare.

Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to your employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

The LGA has called for a package of measures to be put in place to address funding pressures and provide the certainty councils need to keep responding fully to the COVID-19 emergency.
The Government has provided £3.2 billion of vital non-ringfenced emergency COVID-19 funding for councils to spend on local pressures and priorities. The Local Government Association says this has met cost pressures and lost income in the past three months but it says councils now need clarity about when they will receive further funding to help communities through this crisis and beyond.

Lenders approve almost 1.5 million payment holidays on credit cards and personal loans
As of 21 May, 877,800 customer accounts had been given a payment freeze on their credit card. This is an increase of over a quarter (26 per cent) since the start of the month, as lenders continue to provide support to those customers with temporary financial pressures due to Covid-19. UK Finance members have also provided almost 608,000 payment holidays on personal loans – up by 30 per cent since the start of the month – giving financial relief to those customers affected by the pandemic.

BSI publishes UK safe Working guidelines
The guidelines are intended to become a consensus of good practice and BSI encourages the business community and members of the public to have their say and share their learnings and insight on safe working to help protect public health.

Version 1 of the guidelines is available for immediate use. It provides a framework for business owners, senior leaders, managers and workers to protect people at work from the ongoing risks related to the coronavirus.

Comments are invited on Version 1 until 12 June by following two simple steps

SAGE minutes: Coronavirus (COVID-19) response, 3 February 2020
Record of the discussion that took place at SAGE’s third meeting

New tools and 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.

EXPORT:

Exporting personal protective equipment during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about the changes if you are exporting personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic.

HEALTH & HEALTHCARE:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Updated general guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health and social care settings, other non-clinical settings, and for the general public.

PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
Summary of the PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19, outlining what the changes mean and how the data compare to other COVID-19 death data series. Report updated for the incorporation of pillar 2 testing data.

Legionnaires’ disease: national surveillance scheme
Reporting form updated to include COVID-19 – guidance on the control and prevention of Legionnaires’ disease in England, including disease surveillance and reporting forms.

Top tips for managing mental health resources during coronavirus
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, looking after mental and physical health at work has never been more important. Many of us may feel concerned or anxious, having less control over how we work and live our lives. This is a normal response and there are things you can do to support your own — and other people’s — mental health and wellbeing. Our resources for employers, line managers and everyone can help support you at work.

UK reaches 200,000 coronavirus testing capacity target a day early
Following the rapid expansion of coronavirus testing, the UK reached the 200,000 capacity target on Saturday 30 May, including capacity for 40,000 antibody tests a day

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. In the ‘For industry and manufacturers’ section: added new content on performance evaluation process for test kits, re-worded the description of the TTP and re-worded the list of information to send for a device exemption application.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): looking after people who lack mental capacity
Guidance for health and social care staff who are caring for, or treating, a person who lacks the relevant mental capacity. Updates have been made to the main guidance attachment, in particular to the ‘Emergency public health powers’ section. The format of the attachment has also been changed to ensure it’s accessible. 3 new attachments have been added to the page: additional guidance, annex A and an easy read.

Exemptions from Devices regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How to get fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19 – updated the list of information we require for an exemption application

COVID-19: laboratory evaluations of serological assays
PHE has undertaken a number of rapid evaluations of commercial serological assays for their suitability for detecting the production of COVID-19 antibodies – added Evaluation of the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros Immunodiagnostic document.

COVID-19: guidance for sampling and for diagnostic laboratories
Updated ‘COVID-19: sampling and packaging poster’ to information for clinical diagnostic laboratories regarding safety, sampling and packaging specimens associated with COVID-19.

Action taken to halt sales of fingerprick coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody testing kits
Anyone supplying these types of tests should temporarily stop this service.

SPI-B: Symptom-based contact tracing in comparison to test-based approaches – note, 29 April 2020
Briefing note prepared by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

COVID-19: guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol
Added link to ‘COVID-19: information on stopping drinking for people dependent on alcohol’ to COVID-19 guidance for commissioners and service providers for those dependent on drugs or alcohol

Coronavirus (COVID-19): scientific evidence supporting the UK government response
The national and global response to the spread of COVID-19 continues to develop quickly and our collective knowledge of the virus is growing by the second. We have updated the list of evidence with SAGE meeting minutes and a further 16 supporting papers.

COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Updated information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Chief Scientific Adviser’s Sunday Telegraph article: 31 May 2020
Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance explains the scientific advice being given to the government and the lessons learned.

Public Health England response to Sunday Telegraph coverage
Public Health England’s (PHE’s) response to coverage and a leader column in the Sunday Telegraph on 31 May 2020.

COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 updated in light of the test and trace guidance and added guidance for risk assessment of staff in the event of PPE breaches.

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 – updated guidance in line with changes to the regulations which come into force on 1 June 2020.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested. Two documents have been replaced with updated versions to reflect the new courier collection process for care homes: ‘guidance pack for care home managers on non-Randox test kits (e.g. Kingfisher)’ and ‘guidance pack for care home managers on Randox kits’.

HEALTH & SAFETY:

Guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Updated guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person.

Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives – updated to reflect new guidance.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Link added to NHS testing and tracing for coronavirus to frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak.

Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
Addition of link to NHS Testing and Tracing added to the most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.

Staying safe outside your home
Link added to NHS Test and Trace for coronavirus to the principles you should follow to ensure that time spent outside your home is as safe as possible.

No parent should worry about a child getting an avoidable disease
The following opinion piece was written by Melanie Robinson, UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe and published in the local private-owned Sunday newspaper – The Standard.

JUDICIARY:

Video enabled criminal hearings: guidance for defence practitioners
Guidance for defence practitioners when participating in video enabled criminal hearings.

LOCAL COUNCIL INFORMATION:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government
Guidance for local councils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added links: Announcement: Government launches NHS test and trace service; and Guidance: How NHS test and trace works

MANUFACTURING:

Task Force vital to retain key talent for future demand
Britain’s manufacturers are calling for the establishment of a National Skills Task Force as companies are bracing themselves to have to make substantial redundancies as the rate of decline in orders accelerates and pessimism about a return to normal trading within the next year has grown according to a survey released today. In response, Make UK is calling for the establishment of a Task Force which would have the objective of retaining key skills within industry by re-deploying employees who have lost their jobs to other companies and enabling them to be re-trained. A smaller such scheme was set up after the Financial Crisis but Make UK believes there is now a case to establish a much bigger scale project on a national basis.

PROPERTY:

Nationwide: Shock as house prices show largest monthly fall in 11 years
UK house prices fell by 1.7 per cent in May, after taking account of seasonal effects – this is the largest monthly fall since February 2009. As a result, the annual rate of house price growth slowed to 1.8 per cent, from 3.7 per cent in April. The figures come from the Nationwide whose chief economist Robert Gardner says: “In the opening months of 2020, before the pandemic struck the UK, the housing market had been steadily gathering momentum. Activity levels and price growth were edging up thanks to continued robust labour market conditions, low borrowing costs and a more stable political backdrop following the general election.

The UK’s financial regulatory body has today confirmed the support that firms should give to mortgage customers.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that firms need to be aware of the difficulties consumers may be facing in the wake of the country’s lockdown. It announced that for customers still experiencing payment difficulties due to coronavirus, firms should offer a full or part payment holiday for a further three months, and that customers yet to apply for a payment holiday have until 31 October 2020 to do so.

Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to Coronavirus will be able to extend their mortgage payment holiday for a further three months
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published new draft guidance today for lenders which will set out the expectations for firms and the options available to their customers. This includes extending the application period for a mortgage holiday until 31 October so customers that have not yet had a payment holiday and are experiencing financial difficulty will be able to request one. The current lender ban on repossessions of homes will be continued to the same date.

Property market back with a bang as Rightmove records busiest ever day
Since being allowed to officially reopen on May 13, the property market has returned with a bang, according to Rightmove. The property portal reports that last Wednesday, May 27, it recorded its busiest day, with over six million visits – up 18% on the same Wednesday in 2019. It says that eager property searchers are starting to act as record levels of buyers phoning and emailing estate agents were also recorded. The busiest day for time spent on Rightmove was Saturday May 23, with over 47 million minutes spent collectively.

COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
Non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19) updated to reflect amended regulations and changes to wider government and public health advice.

RETAIL:

Oxfam plans to reopen some stores from 15^th June
Oxfam has asked people to call ahead before donating goods, because storage space at its network of charity shops might be limited. Oxfam stores will begin reopening in England from 15 June. The charity said it could not yet confirm which stores would open in the first phase, nor how many of them. However, it said there would be space for social distancing, while staff and volunteers would have the necessary personal protective equipment.

Some IKEA stores to open from today
The Swedish retail giant has announced that it will be reopening 19 of its shops, but strict new rules will be in place to ensure staff and shopper safety.

Small convenience shops are experiencing a dramatic surge in footfall as the Covid-19 lockdown encourages people to shop locally
“Local community and village stores have come into their own over recent weeks because this is what the village store has been doing since it first came into being,” said Jerry Marwood, joint managing director of food and drink distributor AF Blakemore, which provides goods for 677 independently owned SPAR stores.

SPORT:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation
Added Elite Sport – Return to Domestic Competition to guidance for the public, providers of outdoor sport facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches on the phased return of sport and recreation.

Government gives green light to resumption of competitive sport behind closed doors
DCMS publishes ‘stage three’ of its elite and professional sport guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation
Guidance for the public, personal trainers, coaches and provider of an outdoor sport facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation.

TRANSPORT:

Coronavirus: theory tests
Theory tests are currently suspended past 31 May due to coronavirus, but you can apply for an emergency theory test if you’re a critical worker.

Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules: all sectors carriage of goods by road
Temporary relaxation of the GB drivers’ hours rules for drivers carrying goods by road. EU drivers’ hours relaxation is ended. GB relaxation continues until 14 June.

TRAVEL:

Portugal’s Algarve unveils new rules for beach visitors
Portugal’s beaches will reopen to visitors this weekend as the region’s tourism chief said beaches will have new safety measures put in place – with visitors from different households expected to keep a 1.5m distance from each other.

Improving light rail services and cycle facilities at railway stations funding: regional allocations
Allocations of funding to United Kingdom regions for improving cycle facilities at railway stations and light rail services.

Emergency active travel fund: local transport authority allocations
Funding allocations for emergency active travel schemes for local authorities in the region of the United Kingdom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EMG: Transmission and Control of SARS-CoV-2 on Public Transport, 18 May 2020
Paper prepared by the Environmental and Modelling group (EMG) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

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