Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing today. He announced that from 15th June it will be mandatory for passengers to wear face coverings (not necessarily surgical masks) on public transport. 281,661 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,805.  39,904 deaths, an increase of 176 from yesterday (lowest weekday figure). Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can now 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 Preparing for the wider opening of schools from 1 June Updated the planning guide for primary schools to reflect the announcement by the Prime Minister – Read More…

Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He said that as the NHS Test and Trace becomes established ‘we will be able to replace national lockdown with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.’ 279,856 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,871.  39,728 deaths, an increase of 359 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Nothing new today but worth repeating this:- Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing: 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 – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. He said that there is plenty of testing capacity available and anyone with symptoms should obtain a test. 277,985 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,61.  39,369 deaths, an increase of 324 from yesterday. 436 new hospital admissions, the lowest since 20th March. Latest Guidance (employment and business) One very important point to highlight regarding the new Flexible Furlough Scheme (I’m not going to use the acronym!) Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is changing: 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 – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. He said that the Test and Trace service is running successfully with a high degree of compliance, but he was unable to provide any figures to support this. In the last 24 hours 1,570 new cases and 111 deaths both announced as the lowest since 23rd March.  Possible weekend lag. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No updates today. CJRS guidance can now 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) Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance  Updated general guidance.  5:17pm, 1 June 2020 Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do Updated to reflect latest guidance.  7:47pm, 31 – Read More…

Main points from today The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, led the briefing. He announced changes to the CJRS as follows:- From 1st July an employee can come back to work part time as part of a flexible furlough scheme.  In the example he gave relating to a five day a week worker, if a worker came back to work for 2 days they could still remain on furlough for the other three. In June and July there would be no contribution required of employers. In August employers will pay the national insurance element and pension contributions. In September CJRS will pay 70% and employers will pay 10%, so employees still receive 80%. In October CJRS will pay 60% and employers will pay 20%, so employees still receive 80%. The scheme will – Read More…

Main points from today The Prime Minister led the briefing. He confirmed that the 5 tests to ease lockdown were currently being met. Therefore, from Monday 1st June up to 6 people from different households can mix outdoors, including in private gardens, providing social distancing rules are observed. Those who were advised to shield should continue to do so. Test and trace up and running from today. The rate of infection, the R number, is between 0.6 and 0.9. Confirmed primary school and early years opening from Monday 1st June for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.  Secondary schools from 15th June for Year 10 and Year 12 to have some face to face time with teachers. 15th June to open non-essential retailers provided the 5 steps are maintained and – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced that contracts signed to manufacture 2 billion items of PPE in the UK. The drug Remdesivir is being used to treat coronavirus, shortening recovery by 4 days.  Matt Hancock said it was ‘the biggest step forward in the treatment of the virus’. 265,227 positive tests, an increase of 2,004 from yesterday.  37,048 deaths, an increase of 134 from yesterday (lowest number of deaths for 6 weeks). Latest Guidance (employment and business) Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 Further Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 to update the formal rules of the CJRS.  11:57am, 22 May 2020.  This removed reference to the employer and employee – Read More…

Main points from today Home Secretary, Priti Patel, led the briefing. Announced that international arrivals to the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from 8th June with a £1,000 fine for non- compliance. Government scientific advisers confirm that the R rate of Covid-19 remains between 0.7 to 1.0. 140,497 tests yesterday. 254,195 positive tests, an increase of 3,287 from yesterday.  36,393 deaths, an increase of 351 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 Further Treasury Direction made under Sections 71 and 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 to update the formal rules of the CJRS.  11:57am, 22 May 2020 CJRS guidance can now be found here:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The Self-Employment Income Support – Read More…

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced £4.2 million to assist mental health charities. Possible swab test soon to be available that shows if a person has the virus in 20 mins. Deal agreed to provide 10 million anti-body tests phased from next week with health and care workers first to receive them. 128,340 tests yesterday. 250,908 positive tests, an increase of 2,615 from yesterday.  36,042 deaths, an increase of 338 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Page updated to explain that employers will be asked to give the amounts separately for the NICs, pension and wages they are claiming for. Information added that employee authorised salary deductions can be made from grant payments. 2:57pm, – Read More…

Main points from today Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, led the briefing. PM says he is confident the UK will have test and trace in place by 1st June 2020 as 24,000 tracers have been recruited. 177,216 tests yesterday (highest ever). 248,293 positive tests, an increase of 2,472 from yesterday.  35,704 deaths, an increase of 363 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) No new guidance today. CJRS guidance can now 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) Coronavirus (COVID-19): scientific evidence supporting the UK government response – Updated the list of evidence provided to SAGE with reports from the COVID-19 Clinical Information Network (CO-CIN). 4:21pm, 20 – Read More…