Covid-19 – Latest Guidance from the Government – 6.00pm 3rd June 2020

James Williams

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 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. 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, in order for the current 3 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.

So, employers can only furlough employees on a flexible basis if they have previously been furloughed for a three week period prior to 30th June.  The scheme is not open to employees that have not previously been furloughed.  The new guidance is not expected until 12th June, 2 days after the last day for furloughing employees for the first time.

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
What parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated information on what parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes information on the curriculum, afterschool activities, repeating a year for pupils, transport and keeping children safe online. We have also amended information on if its compulsory to send pupils to educational settings and education for children at home. It also includes updated information for parents of children with special education needs. 6:51pm, 2 June 2020

The general school guidance starts here:-
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings

General Guidance
The general coronavirus guidance starts here:-
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

James Williams – Solicitor

James Williams

I am a qualified Employment Law and HR Solicitor. I specialise in acting for schools and advise on all aspects of employment law and HR including attending employee meetings, advising senior leaders, conducting redundancy consultations, drafting contracts of employment, advising on policies and procedures and negotiating settlement agreements.