Summary Following our update last week, we have seen that a number of LA’s are advising that pregnant employees over 28 weeks (i.e. in their third trimester) should not be in school. The basis for this advice was the Guidance for full opening: schools made specific reference to Occupational Health guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG).  Part of that guidance, which schools were being urged to follow, related to pregnant workers in the healthcare sector. On 10th September, the RCOG guidance was archived and replaced with new guidance which, in summary, recommends that an individual risk assessment is the key.  There is, therefore, no blanket advice that a pregnant employee over 28 weeks should not be in school. The School Guidance Guidance for full opening: – Read More…

Main points from the PM’s briefing The PM led a special briefing today and announced new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down.  The full press release is here – Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed – 9 September New rule of six – from Monday 14th September no more than six people can meet up indoors or outdoors, including private homes, parks, pubs and restaurants. COVID-19 Secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups. Education and work settings are unaffected. Organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals up to 30. From Monday, this limit will – Read More…

A specific risk assessment for is needed for pregnant employees.  Making sure a pregnant employee follows the covid secure rules is the key and doing so even more e.g. increased handwashing, face mask in communal areas, not moving around the school at busy times, carrying hand sanitiser.  Anything you can think of really. The best guidance is the Q & A from The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology which in summary is:- Coronavirus infection and pregnancy – The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) Q. What is the main advice for pregnant women? There is no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus but pregnant women have been included in the list of people at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) as a precaution. – Read More…

Main points from today An urgent review has been ordered into how daily coronavirus death figures are calculated after it was claimed the current method did not account for people recovering from COVID-19. There are concerns that death tally could be inaccurate due to the way coronavirus deaths are recorded in England. Boris Johnson led a press conference today: Mr Johnson announces the biggest ever flu vaccination programme ever in the UK. He said they are providing an additional £3bn of funding for the NHS in England, to allow the NHS to continue to use hospital space from the private sector, and also the Nightingale hospitals. Mr Johnson says antigen tests have increased 100 fold, with 200 mobile units which can be rapidly deployed where they are needed. He said – Read More…

Main points from today The sixth week of NHS Test and Trace figures shows anyone getting a test at a regional test site or mobile testing unit can expect their result by the next day. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: July 2020 This statistical release provides estimates of the number and value of claims made to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to HMRC by 30 June 2020. First published. 9:30am, 15 July 2020 CJRS guidance can be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today. Schools Supporting your children’s education during coronavirus (COVID-19) Banner updated – Read More…

Main points from today As reported yesterday it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets from 24th July.  The full press release from Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, was published late yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: July 2020 This statistical release provides estimates of the number and value of claims made to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to HMRC by 30 June 2020. First published. 9:30am, 15 July 2020 CJRS guidance can be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today. Schools Providing free school meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has confirmed that it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets from 24th July.  A failure to comply could result in a £100 fine. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Latest Guidance (health) No new guidance today. Schools Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: 23 March to 9 July 2020 The summary from the DfE is as follows:- We estimate that 16.9% of pupils (1,608,000) were attending schools and colleges in England on 9 July, the same – Read More…

Main points from today It appears that the Gov updates are starting to slow down.  So, after this week, we will stop sending out the daily updates and just send an update when there is a significant change. HMRC have invited the hospitality industry to register for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme starting today. Register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme Beauty salons, nail bars, tattoo and massage studios, physical therapy businesses and spas across England can reopen safely from today. The 7-day rolling average number of deaths reduced to 86 as at 9th July, down from 96 as at 2nd July. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance – Read More…

Main points from today The R number range for the UK is 0.7-0.9 and the growth rate range is -5% to -2% as of 10 July 2020.  This is being reported as an increase since lockdown measures were eased.  However, on 3 July 2020 the R number range for the UK was 0.7-0.9 and the growth rate range is -6% to -0%. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Individuals you can claim for who are not employees Find out if you can claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for individuals who are not employees.  First published.  4:30pm, 10 July 2020 CJRS guidance can be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance is here:- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support – Read More…

Main points from today Outdoor pools can reopen to the public from 11 July. Indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres can reopen on 25 July. Measures in the Gov Guidance to allow this are as follows:- Limiting the number of people using the facility at any one time, for example by using a timed booking system; Reducing class sizes and allowing sufficient time between each class to avoid groups waiting outside during changeover; Ensuring an appropriate number of people are in a swimming pool at any one time; Spacing out equipment or taking some out of service to maintain social distancing; Enhanced cleaning and providing hand sanitizer throughout venues; Considering how the way people walk through their venue could be adjusted to reduce contact, with queue management or one-way systems; – Read More…