September 30th – Coronavirus News Updates

Latest UK data:

Positive tests: 446,156 have tested positive (+ 7,143 new cases)

Loss of life: *42,072 across all settings (+ 71 in last 24 hours)

Cases in Cheshire East: 2,916 confirmed since start of the pandemic, + 172 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 latest reproduction number (R) and growth rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. The R number range for the UK is 1.2-1.5 and the growth rate range is +4% to +8% per day as of 25 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.

Slides, datasets and transcripts to accompany coronavirus press conferences
Slides, datasets and transcripts from press conferences at 10 Downing Street in response to coronavirus

UK HEADLINES:

Green Homes Grant scheme launches to boost low-carbon economic recovery
Homeowners will see the government subsidise installation of green home improvements, supporting over 100,000 jobs in construction and trades.

BBC: MPs to vote on extension to Government’s emergency powers

Later today, MPs will vote on whether to renew the legislation that gives the government the powers to impose coronavirus restrictions. The “rule of six”, the 10pm closing time for pubs and a host of tougher local rules have been announced with a few hours’ notice and without being subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.

TSB to close branches with loss of 900 jobs
TSB will close 164 of its branches and cut 960 jobs, blaming “a significant shift in customer behaviour” as more customers bank online. The figure is in addition to the 82 branches it said it would close in November, when it set out plans to save £100m by 2022. Union Unite described the move as “a dark day for the finance sector”. The bank said the closures were not an “easy decision” and had been accelerated by the pandemic. From the end of next year the bank will have 290 branches – down from 540 currently. It hopes most of the job cuts will come through voluntary redundancies, and said it would also create 120 new positions.
Read more on the BBC news

Night-time economy set for biggest hit and long recovery
Gillian Keegan told Sky News’ Kay Burley that the furlough scheme did support people in industries hardest hit by Covid-19 but it cannot continue “indefinitely”. She painted a bleak immediate future for parts of the night-time economy still forced to stay closed, admitting: “It is hard to see how nightclubs will open until we have some kind of long-term way to deal with coronavirus.”

Aldi to open 100 new stores before end of 2021 creating 4000 new jobs across UK
The company is also planning more than 100 store upgrades, bringing its total investment in the expansion to £1.3bn. Aldi reported a 49 per cent increase in operating profit for 2019, jumping to £291.2m, on total sales up 8 per cent to £12.3bn. Throughout the pandemic, Aldi has also increased its home delivery service to match a rising demand. Chief executive Giles Hurley said Aldi was committed to keeping its prices low.

PM to announces new employment opportunities for Adults and Apprentices
Adults without A levels to be offered free courses to ‘create new and better jobs’ as unemployment rises. The move will also see more funding for SMEs taking on apprentices, and £2.5bn is being made available through the National Skills Fund to help get people working again after Covid. This comes as unemployment rates rise to 4.1 per cent, with the Office for Budget Responsibility predicting that levels could hit up to 13.2 per cent in the coming years.

Indoor inter-household mixing restricted in parts of the North East
Measures will be brought into law restricting inter-household mixing in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants, in Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland.

LOCAL / REGIONAL NEWS & UPDATES:

Stockport hospital to recruit Cheshire and Greater Manchester volunteers for vaccine study
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is among the sites selected to undertake the Novavax study. At Stockport, 500 volunteers are needed. Volunteers who sign up to the registry and live in Stockport, East Cheshire and South East Manchester could potentially take part. It will be carried out in a community setting, in co-operation with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) Greater Manchester. Calling on some of the thousands of volunteers who have joined the fight against Covid-19 by signing-up to the NHS Vaccine Registry, the phase three trials are the second to commence in the UK. A total of 10,000 volunteers are needed to take part in the trials which will also be undertaken at a number of NIHR regional sites across the UK, including Lancashire, the Midlands, London, Glasgow and Belfast.

North West business barometer: confidence dips as restrictions tightened
Business confidence fell in the North West during September, according to the latest data, as Covid-19 restrictions tightened. Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer shows that companies’ confidence in their prospects month-on-month was -14 per cent. When taken alongside their views of the economy, it gives a headline reading of -13 per cent. When asked about the impact Covid-19 was having on their business, the majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected during September. A total of 68 per cent experienced a fall, down nine points on the month before. Meanwhile, 11 per cent experienced an increase, down six points on August. When asked about job retention among companies with furloughed staff, 29 per cent expect to bring back more than 90 per cent of their employees. Across the UK, that figure is just 23 per cent.
Read more at Insider

North West based Gusto Italian secures future and 600 jobs with CVA
Italian restaurant chain has completed a successful CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) securing the future of the business and saving more than 600 jobs. As the casual dining sector continues to feel the impact of Covid-19 and the most challenging trading conditions in a generation, the majority of the firm’s creditors (98%) voted in favour of the CVA. Gusto was founded in 2005 and following a management buyout in 2014, supported by Palatine, the chain grew from nine restaurants to having venues across the country. However like many restaurants the current Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the business and it looked to be the latest casualty of the pandemic before this deal was reached.

Become a Green Homes Grant Supplier II – Trustmark and PAS 2030The new Green Homes Grant will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps, draft proofing and more to help households cut energy bills. 100% of tradespeople taking part in the scheme must be registered with Trustmark, the only government-endorsed quality scheme for improvement works in and around a home. In addition, projects delivered through the Green Homes Grant must also be lodged with Trustmark to release the funding that pays the installer. Installers must comply with PAS 2030 standard which takes a ‘whole of dwelling’ approach to the design and delivery of energy efficiency measures in buildings. As the standard has both a 2017 and updated 2019 version, installers should know how to meet minimum requirements to access the grant. This session outlines how to become Trustmark approved and the audit, lodgement and release of funding vouchers for each project. It also covers how to comply with PAS 2030 and trading standards relevant to the scheme.

Webinar: Wednesday 7th October

Host and Speakers

Amy House, Low Carbon and Resource Efficiency Lead, GC Business Growth
David Pierpoint, Chief Executive, The Retrofit Academy
Nigel Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency

Booking Link: https://app.livestorm.co/the-growth-company/get-ready-to-become-a-green-homes-grant-supplier-ii-trustmark-and-pas-2030

North West of England: local restrictions
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in areas of the North West of England.

Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) supports businesses that have been required to close due to temporary COVID-19 local lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.

AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – updated to bank helpline opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

ARTS, CREATIVE & MEDIA:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. Performing arts – updated guidance on thinking about risk (section 1), who should return to training, rehearsal and performance (section 2), managing performances (section 3), hair and makeup (section 4.16) and face coverings (section 6.2).

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Heritage locations – Updated guidance on thinking about risk (section 1), keeping your customers, visitors and contractors safe (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings (section 6).

BUSINESS & FINANCE:

An assessment of the impact of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on the UK’s Institutional Sector accounts: Quarter 2 (Jan to Mar) 2020
The nationwide lockdown measures and social distancing policies introduced in the context of the pandemic had major impact on the UK’s institutional sectors in Quarter 2 (April to June) 2020.

NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
Guidance on NHS Test and Trace for employers, businesses and workers – updated to reflect the launch of the COVID-19 app and how it should be used in the workplace. Corrected the period that people are infectious to say: from 2 days before the person was symptomatic up to 10 days from onset of symptoms.

Reporting outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure. The visitor economy – updated guidance on managing risk (section 1.1), managing your customers, visitors and contractors (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and face coverings (section 6)

COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care in England
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – updated guidance, providing more information on types of gloves.

Local Restrictions Support Grant for business closed due to local lockdowns
Grants up to £1,500 are available every 3 weeks for businesses forced to close or who have targeted restrictions. Some smaller businesses will be able to claim £1,000.

Winter Economy Plan measures to replace furlough support scheme
Additional government support for businesses and employees impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) across the UK.

Public sector insurance survey
GAD has published the results of its survey into how public sector organisations are managing their commercial insurance risks, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COMMUNITY:

New recruitment drive to help 10,000 people with serious mental illness
£27 million has been announced for mental health charity Think Ahead to expand their mental health social work graduate programme.

COVID-19: providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for people who are providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – replaced links to social distancing guidance and easy-read counterpart with updated guidance on staying alert and safe, coronavirus outbreak FAQs and guidance on meeting with others safely.

Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person – updated to include new legal requirements for self-isolation.

COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships
Guidance for people planning to get married or form a civil partnership in England – updated guidance on number of guests allowed, legal requirements for businesses to be closed between 10pm and 5am and supporting staff to self-isolate, mandatory face coverings for staff, mandatory table service at licenced venues, new NHS Test and Trace QR code and guests prohibited from joining in with performances.

Coronavirus: How to help safely
Across the UK people are playing their part and providing essential support to their friends and family who are in isolation.

Guidance to parents and guardians: when you should book a coronavirus test for your child
Letter from the Chief Nurse and Interim Chief Medical Officer of NHS Test and Trace on when parents and guardians should book a coronavirus (COVID-19) test for their child.

CONSTRUCTION:

Glenigan: Positive Trends for construction post-lockdown
September’s issue of the Glenigan Construction Review – which reports on the construction sector activity over the past three months and looks at planning approvals over the same period – identifies positive trends in activity as the industry has emerged from lockdown, restarted projects, reopened sites and progressed new projects

Construction leaders update guidance for site face coverings
It now recommends that masks are worn where workers on site are not required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and their workplace (which may include welfare and changing facilities, office or meetings rooms) meets all of the following criteria:
– an enclosed space
– where social distancing isn’t always possible and
– where they come into contact with others they do not normally meet.
Face coverings must also be worn in site canteens except when seated at a table to eat or drink. Download the guidance

Eric Wright Group saw pre-tax profit fall by nearly a quarter to £7.7m despite revenue rising almost a third to £223m.
The rise in revenue last year was principally driven by greater activity in the civil engineering, water and construction businesses. Gill Chadwick, Eric Wright Group finance director, said: “Although we have seen a drop in overall profit, underlying trading remained strong with improved profitability in a number of key divisions. Read on

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Planning Inspectorate guidance – updated 29 September 2020
In response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), The Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events – updated guidance documents for all casework types. Updated guidance on page.

CREATIVE & MEDIA:

Film and TV production kickstart scheme – GAD case study
GAD’s actuarial and modelling experts were part of a multi-disciplinary team which helped set up the government’s £500m film and TV production kickstart scheme.

EDUCATION:

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Protective measures for providers of community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings offering provision to children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added a section of links to venue-specific guidance and updated Test and Trace section to reflect launch of the NHS COVID-19 app.

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 – updated information to reflect that all pupils can now return to education full-time and that further information has been published about possible local interventions.

Disapplication notice: school inspections legislation changes
Secretary of State for Education issues a sixth notice about changes to state-funded school inspections requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Transport to school and other places of education: autumn term 2020
What local authorities will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the start of the autumn term – added link to PHE guidance in ‘Prevention’, clarifying guidance on when to self-isolate.

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 – updated information on public health arrangements for autumn exams to include information on autumn exam contingencies, candidate health and reasonable adjustments.

Extraordinary regulatory framework: General Qualifications, COVID-19 Conditions and Requirements
This document sets out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering general qualifications during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Extraordinary regulatory framework: General Qualifications, COVID-19 Conditions and Requirements document updated with the addition of Conditions GQCov7 and 8 – the existing Conditions have not changed.

Modification notice: school registration legislation changes
Secretary of State for Education issues sixth notice to modify pupil registration requirements for temporary pupils during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 24 September 2020
A summary of attendance in education settings since Monday 23 March and early years settings since Thursday 16 April 2020.

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. The Government would also like to hear from health service professionals, charities, volunteer groups and academics.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): school and college performance measures
Government’s approach to school and college accountability, performance tables and data during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – added link to how the Regional Schools Commissioners will make decisions without summer 2020 data.

Remote education webinars
How to access school-led webinars on remote education to help share good practice.

Teaching during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information, guidance and support for teachers and leaders on educating children during the coronavirus outbreak – updated with information on remote education expectations and remote education webinars.

ENVIRONMENT:

Coronavirus: Environment Agency update
The Environment Agency’s priority is to protect people and the environment, and to support those we regulate during the coronavirus pandemic.

HEALTH CARE & WELLBEING:

Coronavirus deaths increase for second consecutive week in England & Wales
Sky news: There were 139 deaths which mentioned coronavirus on the certificate – up from 99 the previous week, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). COVID-19 deaths still only accounted for 1.5% of all deaths.

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.

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.

COVID-19: background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features – updated global case numbers and added information on the possibility of airborne transmission.

COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for care staff who are supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – guidance on staying alert and safe, coronavirus outbreak FAQs and guidance on meeting with others safely. Updated links to guidance on both supported living and home care provision.

PPE deliveries (England): 21 September to 27 September 2020
Experimental statistics showing the latest number of personal protective equipment (PPE) items distributed for use by health and social care services in England.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) strategy: stabilise and build resilience
The government’s strategy for preparing for a second wave of COVID-19 covering supply and logistics for distribution of PPE.

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.

Medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA. The list also includes manufacturers whose exemption expired or was cancelled. This information will be listed for 2 months after expiry or cancellation.

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Fall out of Covid-19 as Revolution Bars looking at survival
Revolution Bars Group has confirmed it is looking at various strategic options, including the possibility of reducing the size of its estate through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), as it responds to a challenging trading environment which the business said has been exacerbated by the further Covid-19-related restrictions introduced by the government. The listed leisure giant, which trades under the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, said its board has been working with advisers to evaluate the potential impact on its business model of the restrictions introduced for hospitality firms before “deciding what the next steps should be”.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Hotels and other guest accommodation – Updated guidance on managing risk (section 1.1), keeping your customers, visitors and contractors safe (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings (section 6).

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.

Courts and tribunals additional capacity during coronavirus outbreak: Nightingale courts
This page holds a list of additional facilities opening to support the courts and tribunals estate during the coronavirus outbreak. New venues added: Salford Lowry

LOCAL AUTHORITIES:

COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of council buildings
Guidance for those managing council buildings – updated to reflect changes around test and trace, working from home, gatherings and face masks.

PROPERTY:

Mortgage lending hits 13-year high
Mortgage approvals for house purchases have soared to a 13 year high according to Bank of England figures up to the end of August. There was a rise from 66,300 in July to 84,700. However, the year-to-date total is still suffering from the market closure during the spring lockdown: the BoE says there have been, in total, 418,000 approvals so far in 2020 compared to 524,000 in the same period in 2019.

Record number of tenants registered by agents
The number of new prospective tenants is at its highest level ever according to data just released by ARLA Propertymark. The association’s August Private Rented Sector report says the average letting agency branch registered 101 new tenants last month, breaking July’s previous record of 97.

Building onwards and upwards – what investors need to know
As of the August 1, planning applications are no longer required to add up to two additional storeys to homes, commercial and mixed-use buildings; demolish and rebuild unused buildings as homes, and repurpose commercial and retail properties. The new rights do not apply to dwelling-houses converted to residential using PDR, those constructed before 1 July 1948 or after 28 October 2018 or where the existing house has already been enlarged by the addition of one or more storeys – whether under permitted development or otherwise.
More restrictions – read on

Agents: Covid clauses return as cases of coronavirus increase
Knight Frank says an increasing number of purchasers are accelerating their house moving plans because of virus fears and weaker economic news. The agency’s latest report on the market warns that “this could eventually produce a natural tail-off in activity even if the market remains open.” The agency first warned about such clauses during the spring lockdown when it said the inclusion of ‘Coronavirus Events’ in contracts was becoming more common, and helped a number of potential deals stay on course rather than fall through.

Agents fees on the rise as stamp duty holiday cuts moving costs
Consumer group Which? says the stamp duty holiday has cut more than £4,000 from the average cost of moving home – but it claims other fees, including agents’ charges, are on the rise. Which? says that while overall moving costs have dropped by 39 per cent the charges from agents, conveyancers, surveyors and removers are all on the up. Using data from the Really Move comparison website, based on 239,000 movers, Which? says the average cost of moving has dropped from £10,911 to £6,699. This is despite a 15 per cent rise in conveyancing fees, 14 per cent increase in agents’ commission, a 10 per cent spike in the cost of a survey, and a three per cent rise for removal firms. In absolute terms, it says estate agent fees are now an average of £3,936 which legal fees are £1,682. A house survey is £450 and the removal firm costs £546.

Is the Build to Rent sector ready for the end of furlough?
There has been a dramatic increase in the supply of rental housing stock due to the implosion of the short-let market. Thousands of Airbnb properties were brought back onto the long-let market netting a 40% increase in available stock against the same period last year. Renters not only have more choice than before lockdown, but many of these properties are owned by private landlords who are often able to be much more reactive on achieved rents to secure the let. Where BTR operators have been unable to adjust their pricing strategy so drastically, the gap between the BTR premium and market rents has widened – inevitably impacting occupancy rates and ERV’s.

Lettings Agency warns of dip in rents next year
Hamptons International has given a rental market forecast for 2021 saying the rental sector is recovering more slowly from lockdown than the sales market. Current tenant numbers are down on last year in eight of the nine English regions, with few signs of any pick-up. And it adds that low income workers, particularly renters, are more likely to have lost their job or had a reduction in their income than homeowners. “We expect rents in Great Britain to fall by 1.0 per cent this year, with a similar decline of 1.0 per cent in 2021 due to a rise in the number of job losses which will constrain affordability” according to the forecast.

RETAIL:

Sky: Decline in footfall across UK’s high streets

Last week (20 to 26 September), footfall across all retail destinations throughout the UK fell by 3% from the week before. Data from Springboard also shows:

Footfall fell by 6.8% in high streets while footfall rose by 1.1% in retail parks and 0.9% in shopping centres
In high streets, on Wednesday footfall fell by 10.5% between 10pm and 12am, on Friday the decline over the same two hours averaged 36.4%, with a drop of 55.4% post 11pm. This followed the government’s imposition of a 10pm curfew for bars, pubs and restaurants from Thursday
Footfall across all retail destinations last week remained 28% lower than 2019.

North West based B&M opening new stores among strong half-year
Income during the six months to 26 September was up by 25.3 per cent, with the retailer’s UK stores generating sales growth of 29.5 per cent. Trading momentum was maintained in Q2, while half-year group adjusted EBITDA expected to be approximately £285m. It is also anticipating a gross opening of 40 to 45 UK stores, most of which scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter.
Read more

Retailer’s share price hits record high on profit growth and accelerated store opening plan

Revenues rise for North West based online retailer
N Brown, the Manchester-based online retailer, has seen its debt fall and product revenues continue to improve through the second quarter following the dramatic decline experienced as a result of Covid-19 lockdown. In a trading update, the retailer, which reported a return to profits for the year to February 29, said that apparel sales have “continued to recover from mid-March” and that following the launch of its new Home Essentials brand at the start of April demand for home and gift items has been “well above the prior year”.Online fashion retailer profits up despite supply chain scandal
For the six months up to August 31, the firm’s profit before tax rose by 47 per cent on the same period in the previous year, a growth which has been propelled by the group’s acquisition strategy. The update follows the revelation in July this year that one of Boohoo’s Leicester-based suppliers were found to be underpaying workers and failing to protect them from the COVID-19 outbreak.

TRAVEL:

Former Wallace Arnold open new agency
White Rose Travel is owned by ex-staff members Michelle Metcalfe and Natalie Collins. Metcalfe said: “We are excited to be opening as White Rose Travel and with the support of Advantage, we look forward to seeing what the future holds.”

She added: “This year has been extremely challenging for the industry and the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that agents should partner with a consortium that can provide the required support and an additional level of assurance in both the good and bad times.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak – updated Easy Read guidance to reflect latest rules on social contact and face coverings.

Barbados drops 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors
From Thursday (1 October), all visitors from the UK and Ireland will be required to have taken a Covid test no more than 72 hours before arrival, which must have proved negative. On arrival, visitors will be required to remain at one of 70 approved properties, and will be tested again two or three days later. If the second test is negative, guests will be free to leave the confines of the property, although they will continue to be monitored for seven days after their arrival. Currently, only 13 hotels and 57 villas are approved for high-risk arrivals. Hotels include Cobblers Cove, Hilton Barbados, Sandals Royal Barbados and Meridian Inn

Useful Links:

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020. Find out if you’re eligible and how much you can get.

Hospitality venues in England are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Designated businesses and organisations, including hospitality, close contact services and leisure venues, will also be legally required to log details of customers, visitors and staff for NHS Test and Trace and required to display official NHS QR code posters under law

NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace
Guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service for employers, businesses and workers updated to reflect the new legal requirements for designated venues to collect contact details and display official NHS QR code posters from 24^th September

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub

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

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

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

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

Media and Marketing:

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

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

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

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

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