Businesses warned to expect longer-term social distancing measures in fight against COVID-19
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a three-week extension to the current lockdown as he stood in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson at today’s Downing Street press conference.
He said that despite positive indications that the pandemic was coming under control, easing up restrictions too soon would be the “worst outcome”, not just for public health, but the economy as well.
“We recognise the economic and social impact the measures are having which is why we have put in place an unprecedented package of support,” said Mr Raab. “We know there are worries for small businesses that remain closed. We get it. We know that it is hard going at this time, but we must keep up this national effort for a while longer.
“We have come too far, lost too many loved ones, sacrificed too much to give up now, especially when we are beginning to see evidence that the efforts are starting pay off. Now is not the moment to give the coronavirus a second chance.”
He said that the government would not be adjusting any measures until it was confident it could meet its own five measures:
- Making sure the NHS can cope
- Evidence showing a sustained and consistent fall in daily death rates
- Reliable data showing the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels
- Being confident in the range of operational challenges, like ensuring testing and the right amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), are in hand
- Being confident any adjustments will not risk a second peak
And he added that any second lockdown due to a second peak would only prolong the economic risk, so any adaptation of measures in the future were likely to be limited.
Earlier in the day, government scientific advisor, Prof Neil Ferguson from Imperial College, said a “significant level” of social distancing would be needed until a vaccine was found.
And he said the UK was not likely to be “back to normal” when restrictions were relaxed, with social distancing measures expected to be required in some form until a vaccine became available.
Companies House support for businesses hit by COVID-19
Changes announced today will help businesses avoid being struck off the Companies House register as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Companies House will temporarily pause the strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved. This will give businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register. In addition, companies issued with a late filing penalty due to COVID-19 will have appeals treated sympathetically.
More information is available here.
Councils given greater financial relief against cash flow pressures
Councils will be allowed to defer £2.6 billion in business rates payments to central government, and £850 million in social care grants will be paid up front this month.
These new measures mean councils will be able to defer £2.6 billion of payments they are due to make to central government over the next 3 months as part of the business rates retention scheme.
Additionally, the government will bring forward care grant payments to councils worth £850 million for both children and adults. These will now all be paid this month, rather than monthly in April, May and June, and will help provide immediate support for core frontline social care services.
More information is available here.
Ministers’ letters to industry
Click here to read a letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to the UK’s construction sector.
Click here to read a letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to the UK’s retail workers.
Additional new guidance
Relaxation of enforcement of rules relating to Veterinary services
- Veterinary surgeons: temporary changes to the retail supply of veterinary medicines – click here
- Veterinary practice premises: temporary change of premises – click here
Air Navigation Service Provider (NATS) eligible for funding of up to £92 million to maintain services
The UK’s enroute air navigation service provider, NATS is eligible for £92 million in support from EUROCONTROL, the organisation which manages charging for air navigation services across Europe, enabling it to continue providing services, supporting cargo and repatriation flights as well as ensuring the organisation can return to full operations at the appropriate time, to help the recovery of the aviation sector. More information is available here.
Can your business offer Coronavirus support?
NEW: Personal protective equipment (PPE) hub
A new hub containing guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection prevention and control (IPC) is now available, containing information for both health and social care settings and other workers and sectors. Click here for more information.
The hub also links to the Cross-government UK-wide PPE plan to ensure that critical PPE is delivered to those on the frontline. This includes a new ‘Make’ strategy of encouraging UK manufacturers to produce PPE. We would welcome support from manufacturers who wish to offer their production facilities where they can meet the required specifications for use by the NHS and care sector – click here. New offers can continue to be made via www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.
NEW: Help the government increase coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacity
There is also a new hub (click here) for businesses seeking to help the government increase testing capacity in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives. It includes a raft of information, including specification for the required antibody test and guidance about the criteria laboratories need to meet to partner with a local NHS trust. Businesses can provide support in a number of ways:
- Help supply materials and equipment – click here
- Help supply complete testing methods – click here
- Help provide laboratory capacity – click here
- Help provide new testing methods in 4 key areas – click here
Can your business offer further support?
The UK Government is looking for businesses who can offer support in the multiple areas and has set up an online tool where businesses can register. To offer support click here.
Business support packages: latest updates
A new Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available at gov.uk/business-support.
The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus. The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.
Funding and support
- Financial support for businesses – click here
- Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here
- Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – click here
- Defer your VAT payments – click here
- Prevent your business from being evicted – click here
Support for the retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery sectors
- Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 – click here
- 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England – click here
Self-employed people and sole traders
- Claim a grant through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme – click here
- Self-employment and Universal Credit – click here
- If you cannot pay your tax bill on time – click here
- Carry out work in people’s homes safely (tradespeople) – click here
- Drivers’ hours rules relaxations – click here
- Negotiate a mortgage payment holiday – click here
Your responsibilities as an employer
- What you need to do and how to keep your employees safe – click here
- Claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): employer guide – click here
- Claim back Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – click here
- Find out what to do if your employee needs time off to look after dependants – click here
- Which expenses are taxable if your employees work from home – click here
- Apprenticeships: how they can continue – click here
- Guidance for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visa sponsors of people affected by coronavirus – click here
Managing your business during coronavirus
- Cleaning your workplace safely – click here
- Handwashing advice posters – click here
- Rules that have been relaxed to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic – click here
- Construction sites and safe working – click here
- Farmers, landowners and rural businesses – click here
- Food businesses – click here
- Freight transport businesses – click here
- Medical and healthcare industry – click here
- Shipping and sea ports businesses – click here
- Supported accommodation, residential care and home care – click here
- Transport businesses – click here
Business closures
- Businesses that must close – click here
- If you’re staying open for business: safe working guidance – click here
- Closing holiday accommodation to temporary residents – click here