September 18th – Coronavirus News Updates

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 381,614 have tested positive (+ 3,395 new cases)

Loss of life: *41,705 across all settings (+ 21 in last 24 hours)

Cases in Cheshire East: 2,609 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 70 in the last 7 days

*Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the first laboratory-confirmed positive COVID test

The R number and growth rate in the UK
The R number range for the UK is 1.0-1.2 and the growth rate range is -1% to +3% per day as of 11 September 2020.

Coronavirus cases in the UK: daily updated statistics
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, cases and deaths in the UK. The way deaths are reported is based on a 28-day limit between the date of a positive lab-confirmed test and date of death.

UK HEADLINES:

Government extending adult social care fund
This will be extended for six months, with the government providing a further £540m of funding. The health secretary says the government will also soon bring forward its adult social care winter plan.

Hancock announces new social restrictions in NE England
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced new social restrictions for parts of north-east England. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hancock said from Friday restrictions would apply in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham. In these areas residents should not socialise with people outside of their household or support bubble, he said. Hospitality will be restricted for food and drink to table service only. And late-night restrictions on operating hours will be introduced, so leisure and entertainment venues must close between 22:00 and 05:00.

Singapore and Thailand added to England’s ‘quarantine-free’ list
People arriving from Singapore and Thailand in England and Scotland will not need to quarantine from Saturday morning, the government has said. However, Thailand is not permitting tourists to travel to the country, only those with work visas or spouses and children of Thai nationals, who will still be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival in the Kingdom.

Arrivals from Slovenia and Guadeloupe will be required to self-isolate once again.

Government extends moratorium on business evictions
Businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of 2020, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced, extending the moratorium first introduced in March. The support for struggling businesses had been due to end at the end of September, having been previously extended in June for a further three months. The move aims to support businesses most affected by the pandemic to remain in their premises without the threat of eviction, in particular allowing retailers to focus on rebuilding business during the busy run-up to Christmas.

New measures to improve patient care ahead of winter
A&Es in 25 hospitals will receive a share of £150 million in funding to upgrade, reduce overcrowding and improve infection control ahead of winter.

Simple Covid test gives results in 90 minutes
A rapid test can accurately diagnose a coronavirus infection within 90 minutes in situ, without the need for a specialist laboratory, say scientists. A study by Imperial College London suggests the device, which analyses DNA on nasal or saliva swabs, gives comparable results to current tests. However, others warn the kit – already used in eight hospitals – is not suitable for mass testing.

Privacy notice for maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
The use of customer logs in designated venues to support NHS Test and Trace will be mandatory from today, 18 September 2020.

New plan to help protect care homes from coronavirus over winter
A new adult social care winter plan will aim to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in care settings throughout the winter months.

Local restrictions: areas with an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)
A list of areas with additional local restrictions. Includes information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak.

Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain: 18 September 2020
Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey covering the period 9 to 13 September 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people, households and communities in Great Britain.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Tighter restrictions introduced in parts of North West, Lancashire & Midlands
Tighter restrictions will come into force in Lancashire, Merseyside, the Midlands and West Yorkshire after significant increases in Covid-19 cases. The new rules ban separate households from meeting each other at home or in private gardens. Pubs and restaurants must also shut early in parts of Lancashire and Merseyside.
The measures will come into force from Tuesday.

GM Chamber tracker shows dampening of demand
Continued concerns about rising Covid-19 infections and the prospect for more local lockdowns in Greater Manchester have contributed to a further dampening of demand, according to the fifth GM COVID-19 Recovery Tracker survey conducted by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The last three Recovery Tracker surveys covering August and the first half of September reveal that customer demand has decreased and caused a worsening in cash positions for many businesses.

Cheshire East Council proposes revisions to green belt site allocations
The second part of the Local Plan, the site allocations and development policies document, is now progressing and will determine policies for planning housing and employment sites.

Lockdown court delays negatively affecting child welfare in the North West
The firm is calling for changes to be made to court proceedings to reduce the negative impact on families across the region. Following the announcement of lockdown measures due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the work of courts and tribunals was consolidated into a network of priority courts across the UK. As a result, just 157 priority court and tribunal buildings were open for essential face-to-face hearings, representing 42% of the 370 crown, magistrates, county and family courts and tribunals across England and Wales. With such a diminished capacity, SAS Daniels has seen a negative impact on families with many proceedings severely delayed. The firm is calling for changes to be made to court proceedings to reduce the negative impact on families across the region.

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 17 September 2020
Early experimental data on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK economy and society. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and experimental methods.

Free business school workshop series to help businesses survive COVID-19
Trinity Business School has partnered with Ibec, Ireland’s top business confederation in launching a free series of workshops and seminars for businesses to rebuild in the Covid economy. The Reboot & Reignite series brings together top academics, business leaders and industry experts over a series of eight online workshops. The seminars are open to business leaders and owners to participate.

The series teases out important questions and challenges that are being faced by business organisations today. Participants will engage with the panel in exploring these issues with the aim of taking away solutions and fresh innovative perspectives for their own organisations. The Reboot and Reignite business campaign also will challenge business leaders around securing a pathway to recovery which is financially viable, and strategically competitive but also sustainable in terms of the environment and diversity.

Join with Trinity Business School, Ibec and leaders such as Jamie Heaslip, Dr Rhona Mahony, Bobby Healy, Dr Kara McGann. The series will launch on 22nd September with its first seminar: How your business can thrive in a recessionary environment.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: September 2020
Time series and statistics as at 31 July on the CJRS, including analysis by scheme size, sector, geography and on flexible furlough.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme statistics: September 2020
The number of individuals claiming the SEISS grant up to 31 August 2020 by age, gender, industry sector and geography.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. Performing arts – updated guidance on social gatherings of more than 6 people (sections 3.3 and 3.12) and mandatory test and trace requirements (sections 1.3).

COMMUNITY:

Financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19)
The government has pledged £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. Summary: Updated all sections to reflect: passed application deadlines; details of grants awarded; changes to HM Treasury financial support – £310 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund has closed. £85 million invested in the Community Match Challenge, £4.8 million distributed to the Voluntary and Community Sector Engagement Partnership. Funds distributed by central government departments’ added to provide updates on the £360 million funding package allocations. ‘Treasury financial support’ section updated to reflect changes to the furlough scheme from 1st September. Treasury financial support’ section updated to reflect changes to the self-employment income support scheme – applications for the final grant are now open. ‘Treasury financial support’ section updated – HMT Future Fund is open until the end of September

COVID-19: guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol
COVID-19 guidance for commissioners and service providers for those dependent on drugs or alcohol – added statement on hands, face, space; updated guidance on return to school; added links to social distancing and what you can and can’t do; amended to reflect change to 6 people meeting.

Vulnerable children and young people survey
A summary of local authority survey in England to help understand the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on children’s social care – replaced ‘waves 1 to 4’ file with waves ‘1 to 8’.

Guidance on searching for archaeological finds in England during COVID-19
Guidance for members of the public (including metal-detectorists) searching for archaeological finds in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic
Guidance to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities and includes a checklist for special religious services and gatherings – updated guidance to incorporate changes in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 which came into effect on 14 September 2020.

COVID-19: guidance for those leading a nomadic way of life
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) for those leading a nomadic way of life.

EDUCATION:

Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term to support the return of children and young people with special education needs and disability (SEND) – updated the section on managing confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term – updated the section on managing confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what to do if a pupil is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated the section on managing confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what to do if a child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Sets out what further education (FE) providers need to know for the autumn term so that students of all ages can benefit from their education and training in full – updated the section on managing confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what to do if a student is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings
What all special schools and other specialist settings will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term to support the return of children and young people with special education needs and disability (SEND) – amended the information on risk assessments for those with an education, health and care plan.

Early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term: translations for parents and carers
Translations of the information for parents and carers about going back to schools, nurseries and colleges in the autumn term.

Responsibility for autumn exams
Guidance for schools and colleges on who should enter students for autumn exams, the health arrangements for exams and the support DfE is providing.

New parents urged to have their say on available early years support via new online questionnaire
The review will consider the barriers that impact on early years development, including social and emotional factors, and early childhood experiences.

Early years healthy development review: call for evidence
Share your evidence to help inform a new review into improving health and development outcomes of babies and young children in England.

HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested including a link to register a home test kit before a hospital procedure

DHSC: supplementary statistical data
A list of supplementary statistical data published by the Department of Health and Social Care.

New Lighthouse Labs to boost NHS Test and Trace capacity
Two new Lighthouse Labs in Newcastle and Bracknell will join the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history to help scale up testing capacity ahead of winter.

Wider impacts of COVID-19 on health monitoring tool
National monitoring tool that brings together metrics to assess the wider impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on health.

Oral statement on coronavirus and the government’s plans for winter
Oral statement by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on coronavirus and the government’s plans to put us in the strongest possible position for this winter.

PHE data series on deaths in people with COVID-19: technical summary
A 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 – updated related deaths time series spreadsheet with latest figures.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by disability status, England and Wales: 2 March to 3 July 2020
To provide updated estimates of mortality involving COVID-19 by disability status covering the period 2 March to 3 July 2020.

Distance travelled for a coronavirus test in England: 1 September to 14 September 2020
Information on the distance travelled for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test in England from 1 September to 14 September 2020.

Hospital discharge service: policy and operating model
Sets out how health and care systems should support the safe and timely discharge of people who no longer need to stay in hospital.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): antibody testing
Information about the government’s coronavirus antibody testing programme. Antibody tests are to check whether a person has had the virus – added that DHSC is working directly with organisations in the adult social care sector in order to offer tests.

PPE portal: how to order emergency personal protective equipment
Domiciliary care providers with 50 or more clients and residential care home with over 50 or more beds can now order one box of visors (usually 200 per box) per week.

Coronavirus tests booked or ordered by or for people under 20: 1 August to 10 September 2020
Information about the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests booked or ordered by or for people aged under 20 from 1 August to 10 September.

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 – updated to reflect the new breakdown between regional and local test sites.

NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus testing (UK) statistics: 3 September to 9 September 2020
Experimental statistics for weeks 1 to 15 of NHS Test and Trace contact tracing in England and coronavirus testing (UK).

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Daily Visitors to DCMS Sponsored Museums and Galleries
These experimental statistics show the number of daily visits to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries. For final visitor figures, refer to the monthly report.

JUDICIARY:

HMCTS weekly operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This page provides a weekly summary of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position during the coronavirus pandemic. North East local restrictions information added.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:

274 councils set to receive housing support for vulnerable people
In the North West, 35 councils will have a share of £7,609,240. The funding will provide interim accommodation and support as part of the government’s commitment to end rough sleeping.

Public health funerals: good practice guidance
Non-statutory guidance for local authorities in England and Wales on public health funerals.

PROPERTY:

House price growth could be halted by oversupply of property
The strong house price growth experienced in recent months could soon be ‘marred’ by oversupply, according to Home.co.uk. The property website says the problem could be worse in London, the East and the South East of England – the regions where there have been the most new instructions. After a phenomenally busy August for estate agents, Home says that a glut of new stock can be digested by a bounce back of mortgage approvals.

Industry prepares for end of evictions ban after six-month shutdown
The lettings industry is today preparing for the current ban on repossessions to be lifted on Sunday with courts to hear cases again from Monday. This is barring any late action from the government, which last month extended the ban by another four weeks just two days before it was due to end. The government has set out a raft of new rules for evictions. It has also confirmed that cases of extreme arrears built before lockdown, anti-social behaviour and domestic violence will be prioritised by the courts from Monday.

Office to residential – vote of confidence for developers
The green light for a vacant office building in the capital to be redeveloped into residential housing has been given after it was acquired by a large developer. The deal is thought to be one of the largest residential transactions to take place since the start of lockdown and will see 137 new homes delivered.

RETAIL:

Co-op creates 7,000 jobs during Covid-19 crisis
The Co-operative Group (Co-op) has revealed it created thousands of roles during the coronavirus pandemic alongside ‘exceptional’ performance. In a trading update covering the 26 weeks up to July 4, the firm announced it had created 7,000 temporary roles during the crisis in order to meet growing demand. Co-op saw its total revenues across the group rise by 7.6 per cent to £5.8bn, compared with £5.4bn over the same period in 2019 – an increase which according to the firm was driven by its food and wholesale businesses.

Welcome back Welcome Break as retailer bounces back
Roadside retailer Welcome Break has bounced back post lockdown from 57% pandemic sales drop. “Encouragingly, this recovery has continued over the summer months with the further lifting of restrictions, government stimulus packages and the staycation trend, all of which has improved traffic volumes. This performance further demonstrates the resilience of our business model and of our sector. We have learnt a lot during this crisis and are confident that we will emerge as a stronger organisation that is well positioned to benefit from future opportunities across all of our markets.”

Spending on home goods boost retail sales figure
If you’re spending more time at home, you may as well make your surroundings look good. British retail sales have continued to increase for the fourth consecutive month, boosted by spending on household goods and DIY. The amount shelled out for homeware products in particular was 9.9% higher in August than it was in February, when the pandemic was declared, says the Office for National Statistics.

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 daily for the return to school period – latest table update added. Methodology note updated.

TRAVEL:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel
Guadeloupe and Slovenia are no longer on the travel advice exemptions list, following the latest assessment of COVID-19 risks. The FCDO advises against all non-essential travel to these countries. Singapore and Thailand, will be added to the list of countries where self-isolation on return the UK is not required, read the latest Government guidance before planning any travel.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors
List of countries, territories and regions from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate.
Singapore and Thailand to be added to the England travel corridor list at 4am Saturday 19 September 2020. Guadeloupe and Slovenia to be removed from the list at 4am Saturday 19 September.

CMA acts to protect competition on UK-US airline routes
Due to coronavirus, the CMA has imposed measures to protect competition on UK-US air routes while it investigates an agreement involving BA and American Airlines.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
This is advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus – updated guidance on applying for a visa if your VAC is closed, for those who have already applied online and now wish to submit their application at a different VAC than the one they selected. Updated ‘If you’re in the UK’ to note that if conditions allowed you to work, study or rent accommodation you may continue to do so during the period of your exceptional assurance.

Useful Links:

Claim money back through the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme
Find out how to claim the reimbursement for discounts given to diners with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme closed on 31 August 2020 – the page updated with removal of registration links.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak – guidance updated in line with new regulations coming into force on 4 July

Business Survey:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-coronavirus-impact-business-survey/dcms-business-survey-headline-measures

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund
The Future Fund will provide UK Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to launch
Employers will be able to make claims through the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme from 26 May.

Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Government – Setting out of Road Map to recovery – 11^th May 2020
Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s 60 page COVID-19 recovery strategy
The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap to easing existing measures in a safe and measured way, subject to successfully controlling the virus and being able to monitor and react to its spread.

Coronavirus Act 2020: status
A table setting out the status of each measure in the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Government – Financial Support
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business

Government – Financial Support
CBILS – A guide to whether it may be the best options for a business

Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open

Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool

Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Government – Financial Support: HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.

Government – Business Support:
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Bank of England – Financial Support: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub

Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

Health – Shielding the most vulnerable https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Media and Marketing:

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

Travel: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit: http://news.dwp.gov.uk/dwplz/lz.aspx?p1=MQsDU1NjQ5MlM2OTA0OjNCNDJBOEZCRTJDOUJEOTc1ODQ0RTRCRDNDNzk4QUNF-&CC=&p=0

Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/

Resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.