COVID-19 Updates – week commencing 13/12/21
More updates of developments from the government and various links to interpretation and guidance.
Go to date:
13 December 2021 …
Tourism Alliance update
- Guidance For Transport Operators Updated
The guidance for transport operators has been updated with more details as to the requirement for passengers to wear face coverings and the exemption for transport staff
- Updated Guidance About Testing Before Events
The primary guidance for the public on the new restrictions has been updated to say that people are strongly advised to take tests as late as possible before attending the event, ideally within 12 hours.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
- New Guidance On Applying for Event Reinsurance
A new guidance document has been published on how businesses can apply for the Event Reinsurance Scheme. The guidance states that:
Anyone wishing to purchase cover can apply to the Scheme by approaching their usual broker who will guide them through the application process. Applicants that do not have a broker can contact BIBA (British Insurance Brokers Association) at enquiries@biba.org.uk or LIIBA (London & International Insurance Brokers Association) at enquiries@liiba.co.uk who will offer support in finding a suitable broker. BIBA also has a list of recommended brokers on their website.
For any further questions, please contact the scheme administrator at liveevent@marshcommercial.co.uk
- Wales – Change In Regulations
The Welsh guidance on the COVID Pass has been amended to advise that a lateral flow test should be taken within 24 hours, rather than 48 hours. The Welsh Government has also published guidance for students preparing to leave college and university for Christmas, which recommends that they test before travel and are making three changes to the regulations to:
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- Clarify that people face coverings must be worn in theatres, cinemas or concert halls (except when eating or drinking or when at in-house cafes or bars)
- Require face coverings to be worn during a professional driving lesson or practical test;
- Remove proof of natural immunity from the domestic version of the Covid Pass.
The changes on face coverings will come into force on Saturday 11 December. The changes for the Covid Pass will come into force on Wednesday 15 December to match those in England.
- Wales International Inbound Tourism Fund
Staying with Wales, the Government there has announced a Inbound Tourism Fund designed to support the sector recover, remain resilient and ensure maximum wider visitor economy impact by enabling recipients to build on their existing itineraries to develop and promote updated programmes and packages. It will focus on:
• increasing Spend
• regional Spread and
• extending the tourism Season.
The idea is to generate a suite of new and updated sustainable inbound itineraries, language courses and bookable programmes, alongside destination promotion aimed at starting to recover Wales’ profile and business from international markets from Spring 2022 onwards. This is a competitive fund with a limited overall budget of £400,000. Awards will be for a minimum of £3,000 (including for sole traders), to a maximum of £50,000 for companies demonstrating typical high turnover.
Awards will be allocated to eligible companies according to an agreed programme of activity against set criteria, considered most likely to promote resilience and economic recovery for tourism in Wales in a sustainable and responsible way.
Businesses that can apply are:
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- Destination Management Companies
- inbound tour operators
- Professional tourist guides (Blue or Green Badge)
- English language schools
https://businesswales.gov.wales/
- R Number And Growth Rate
This week’s R Number and Growth rate are 0.9 to 1.1 and -1% to +2%. This is essentially the same as the previous two weeks so we are yet to see any real impact from the Omicron variant at this stage.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-r-value-and-growth-rate
- Updating Of Primary Guidance
There has been some updating of the primary guidance for tourism businesses but unfortunately it is not progressing as fast as we would like so please treat the notice at the top of the guidance as an indication as to what the body of the guidance will say when it’s been updated.
I’ve had an ongoing conversation with DCMS today about the need to get the detailed guidance as soon as possible and they are in the same position as us in waiting for the Cabinet Office to sign it off.
Hotel and Guest Accommodation
This has been updated with a notice at the front of the guidance stating
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- From Friday 10 December, face coverings will be legally required in most public indoor venues, including public areas of hotels and guest accommodation facilities.
- From Monday 13 December, office workers who can work from home should do so. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to go to the workplace.
- From Wednesday 15th December, certain businesses and some events are required by law to check the COVID status of workers and customers, using the NHS COVID Pass. This includes unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees. To enter or work in these venues and events, customers and workers must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated or have tested negative in the last 48 hours (unless they are exempt from these requirements).
However, there is yet to be any update to the body of the guidance to provide more detail on this.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/hotels-and-guest-accommodation
Events and Attractions
Similarly with this guidance, it’s been updated with a notice at the beginning that is essentially the same as for accommodation businesses except that the guidance for 10th December states:
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- From Friday 10 December, face coverings will be legally required in most public indoor venues, including some types of events and visitor attractions, such as theatres and cinemas.
Again, the body of the guidance has yet to be updated
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/events-and-attractions
Restaurants, Pubs. Bars Etc
This guidance is the same with just a notice attached at the beginning which is a variation of that on other guidance:
-
- From Friday 10 December, face coverings will be required by law in some public indoor settings, such as theatres and cinemas (but not in hospitality settings)
- From Monday 13 December, office workers who can work from home should do so
- From 6am on Wednesday 15 December, certain businesses and events will be required by law to check the COVID status of workers and customers using the NHS COVID Pass
- NHS Covid Pass Guidance Updated
The Covid Pass guidance has been updated to say that, from 9 December, if you live in England and have had one or more of your COVID-19 vaccinations administered overseas, you can have your vaccination details added to your NHS Record. You can then generate an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use and international travel if you meet certain certification requirements. This can be done if you’ve had one or more of the following vaccines:
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- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Pfizer
- Janssen
To do this, people must book an appointment to register their overseas vaccinations which can be done through a link in the guidance.
Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance update:
We have received the final regulations relating to the Covid Status Certification which can be accessed at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-2021-covid-regs-amdt20.pdf. These provide the changes to the regulations published last week which you can access at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-2021-covid-regs-amdt19.pdf.
To make it easier at the end of this email I have included the main changes to the regulations. Those highlighted are the changes – any text removed I have marked as ‘strikethrough’ and new inclusions are in ‘italics’
There are no major changes, more about making the regulations clearer. One addition which refers to the written statement that each business must have setting out the process they are following, is that anybody visiting the premises can ask to see it.
The meeting with the Covid Taskforce and junior ministers yesterday focused on the concerns relating to the impact of the Omicron variant and the approach being taken by the Executive – this was laid out in the NI Executive Statement that was issued yesterday – Joint statement by the Executive – tackling the COVID-19 Omicron variant | The Executive Office (executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk).
Summary:
- Focus on increasing vaccination and booster take-up and low cost mitigations – Face coverings, ventilation, 1-way systems, covid ceritifcation
- Sensitive to the importance of this time of year to the hospitality sector and want to keep the economy open
- Compliance not where it needs to be
One point to note is in regard to the use of the physical vaccination card as a form of evidence. The Taskforce confirmed that there are no plans to remove this as a valid form of evidence. This is important for hospitality, however for large scale events a digital only system is the preferred option. Further work will be done with the events sector to look at how covid certification can be streamlined for large events, e.g., concerts, sporting events. This will include looking at the potential of enabling a percentage of attendees to be checked. Officials will be attending events to observe how the process is currently working and better understand the challenges.
Changes to Regulations
PART 5A
REQUIREMENTS: ENTRY AND PRESENCE ON PREMISES ETC
Qualifying individual
16B(3) A person (P) commits an offence if they is required not to use, make, adapt, supply or offer to supply to another person false or misleading evidence of Covid status which P knows is false or misleading.
Supporting evidence
16C.—(1) A person (P) may provide evidence of their Covid status through—
(a) certification in paper or electronic form that P has completed a course of doses of an authorised vaccine with the final dose having been received at least 14 days before the relevant time;
(b) certification by text or email through the NHS Covid-19 reporting app of a negative result of a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test or a negative result of an on-site COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test, in each case taken within 48 hours on the same calendar day, or one calendar day before, the day of the before the relevant time
(c) a valid notification of a positive result of a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test taken no earlier than 30 days, and no later than 180 days, before the relevant time;
(d) confirmation in writing of their participation (current or past) in a clinical trial for vaccination against coronavirus from the organiser of that trial;
(e) evidence provided through the Northern Ireland Covid Certification process for medical exemption, or an equivalent process in P’s place of residence if P is not resident in Northern Ireland, of a clinical reason for not being vaccinated with any authorised vaccine.
(2) Evidence referred to in this regulation, which does not itself contain a photograph of P must include or be accompanied by a document confirming P’s identity which contains P’s name as stated on the evidence provided, and a photograph of P
(3) In this Part—
(a) “Valid notification” means a notification containing the following information—
(i) that P is the person from who the test sample was taken,
(ii) P’s age or date of birth,
(iii) the result of the test sample which is positive for coronavirus,
(iv) the date on which the test sample was tested by the test provider, and
(v) a statement that the test was a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test or other lab test
(b) “relevant time” means the time when the qualifying individual seeks to enter relevant premises or attend a relevant event; and
(c) “authorised vaccine” and “clinical trial” have the meanings given in schedule 2B of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (2021 No.99).
Premises subject to this Part
16E.—(1) This part applies to the “relevant premises” as listed in paragraphs (2) to (8),
but not exempt premises listed in paragraph (9).
(2) Premises (whether indoor or outdoor):
(a) in which intoxicating liquor is sold or provided for consumption on the premises
(whether indoor or outdoor), or
(b) to which the public have access where consumption of intoxicating liquor is
permitted;
(3) theatres.
(4) concert halls.
(5) cinemas.
(6) indoor premises other than private dwellings when used for the purpose of a
performance, recording or rehearsal.
(7) premises used for the purposes of a conference or exhibition.
(8) premises hosting a relevant event (other than an exempt event listed in Schedule 2A).
(9) The exempt premises for the purposes of paragraph (2) are:
(a) such premises at a port or airport;
(b) the cross-border inter-city rail service between Dublin and Belfast “the
Enterprise”;
(c) a place of worship during a service;
(d) premises of educational establishments other than those parts of the premises
where intoxicating liquor may be consumed on the premises; or
(e) premises, or parts thereof, being used solely for the purposes of blood donation at
the time they are being so used.”
Requirements: entry to premises and attendance at events
16F.—(1) This regulation applies to all relevant events (other than an exempt event listed in Schedule 2A) and all relevant premises.
16F(2) The person (P) responsible for relevant premises or the person responsible for organising a relevant event must take reasonable steps not permit to ensure that only a person other than a person who is referred to in paragraph (4) is permitted to enter or remain on relevant premises or enter or remain at a relevant event.
(3) P must ensure that there is in operation a reasonable an effective system for—
(a) checking as soon as is reasonably practicable that a person on relevant premises or at a relevant event is a person referred to in paragraph (4), and ensuring that only a person referred to in paragraph (4)may enter relevant premises or a relevant event; and
(b) removing from, or refusing access to, those premises or that event anyone found by those checks not to be such a person.
(4) Those persons are—
(a) a qualifying individual;
(b) a relevant officer;
(c) an emergency service responder;
(d) a person employed at, or responsible for, at the relevant premises or relevant event;
(e) in tourist accommodation, a resident, except when the resident is in a part of the tourist accommodation to which the public have access and in which intoxicating liquor may be consumed;
(f) a person under the age of 18 years;
(g) a person providing services in a relevant place at a time when no member of the public is in attendance at that place; or
(h) a person carrying out a public service function or essential repairs or maintenance at the relevant premises or relevant event.
(5) In preparing a reasonable an effective system for the purposes of paragraph (3), P must have regard to any guidance issued by the Department of Health or any other government department.
(6) The requirement to have a system in place for the purposes of this regulation includes a requirement to process any personal data necessary for the system to operate.
Requirements: written statement
16G.—(1) A person (P) who is subject to a requirement under regulation 16F must keep a written statement describing the system referred to in regulation 16F(3).
(2) P must retain the statement referred to in paragraph (1) while these Regulations are in force, and for a further period of three months starting with the day after that on which these Regulations cease to have effect and produce the statement—
(a) immediately when P receives notice of a requirement imposed under regulation 20(1) from a relevant officer, and
(b) during the course of an inspection carried out under that regulation and
(c) make the statement available to visitors upon request
Tourism Alliance update:
The Government has just published the guidance for venues and events with require mandatory Covid check from Wednesday 15th December. Here are some of the main point in the very detailed guidance.
- Where Checks Are Required?
The checks will be mandatory at:
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- nightclubs, dancehalls and discotheques
- other late night dance venues, where all of the following apply:
-
-
- the venue is open between 1am and 5am
- it serves alcohol after 1am
- it has a dancefloor (or space for dancing)
- it provides music, whether live or recorded, for dancing
- indoor events with 500 or more attendees, where those attendees are likely to stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as music venues with standing audiences or large receptions
- outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees, where those attendees are likely to stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as outdoor festivals
- events with 10,000 or more attendees, whether indoor or outdoor, such as large sports and music events
-
Organisations responsible for these venues and events must take reasonable steps to ensure that all visitors aged 18 or above show an NHS COVID Pass, or approved proof of vaccination, testing, or an exemption, to enter the venue or event. Evidence of natural immunity must not be accepted as an alternative to proof of vaccination or testing.
- Undertaking Checks
Covid Pass Checks
The NHS COVID Pass Verifier app is recommended to check the NHS COVID Pass. If you choose to not use the Verifier App, you’ll need to ensure that attendees’ NHS COVID Passes are checked visually for an expiry date and a shimmer animation that confirms a Pass is live and not screenshotted. You should check the online NHS COVID Pass where possible but can also check the wallet (which does not have a shimmer animation).
Proof of a recent negative test result
Those not using the NHS COVID Pass and accessing settings by showing alternative proof of a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the past 48 hours must have reported their test result to NHS Test and Trace. They will then have received a text or email notification which should be checked as a condition of entry. A valid notification of a test result from NHS Test and Trace should include all of the following:
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- the name of the person who took the test
- their age or date of birth
- the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
- confirmation that the test was either a polymerase chain reaction test or a lateral flow test
- confirmation that the result of the test was negative
International attendees
Where attendees to your venue or event are international residents, you should accept certain vaccination proofs from other countries. If the vaccination proof is accepted at the UK border, you should accept it at your venue or event. For more information, read the guidance on approved COVID-19 vaccines and countries with approved proof of vaccination.
- Venues That Change Category
There will be a range of venues that change category – such as a pub changing to a late night dance venue. In these situations that guidance is that the business must:
-
- taken reasonable steps to ensure that all customers who are in the venue when it changes category has an NHS COVID Pass (or other accepted evidence), even if they entered the premises before that time.
- Workers
While COVID-19 status checks are not mandatory for workers at these venues and events, reasonable steps should be taken to en sure that all adults working or providing services (as an employee, contractor or volunteer) in customer-facing roles show evidence of one of the following:
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- a valid NHS COVID Pass
- an acceptable alternative proof of either vaccination, clinical trial participation, or medical exemption, for example, international equivalents accepted at the UK border
- an alternative proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, for example, text or email confirmation from NHS Test and Trace
- Exemptions
Organisers are not required to use the NHS COVID Pass, even if the attendance thresholds are met at:
-
- communal worship
- wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and equivalents (including alternative wedding ceremonies)
- receptions celebrating a wedding or other significant life event (like a christening, bar and bat mitzvah or mehndi ceremony) that are organised by an individual (and not a business, a charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic institution or a public body).
- funerals and commemorative events (except where commemorative events are held in a nightclub)
- outdoor events in public spaces where these are unticketed and not charged for (such as markets, street parties, protests and carnivals)
- events in private houses (including private gardens) where people do not have to pay or hold a ticket to enter
- Spot Checks
Spot checks may be used in the following limited circumstances if it’s not reasonably possible to check proof of COVID-19 status for all attendees and if:
- The event is:
-
- an indoor event with 500 or more attendees expected to stand or move around
- an outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees expected to stand or move around
- any event with more than 10,000 attendees
- The majority of attendees are expected to arrive for a fixed start time, where entrants are likely to all arrive in a short space of time.
- It is not possible to set up checkpoints away from the entry points, and carrying out a check on every person would lead to a crowd gathering outside the venue or event.
- That crowd would either present a risk to the safety of the persons in the crowd, or to any other person, or provide a potential target for terrorist action – read more information on hospitality security considerations
In these circumstances, if it is not practical to check the NHS COVID Pass of all attendees, you must carry out an assessment of risk and determine the percentage of checks that can safely be carried out. The responsible person must submit this assessment of risk to apply to the relevant local authority at least 10 working days in advance of the event.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carrying-out-mandatory-covid-19-status-checks-at-your-venue-or-event
- Accommodation Primary Guidance Updated
The primary guidance for accommodation businesses has now been updated regarding the wearing of facemasks in public areas. The guidance is essentially the same as when previous rules on wearing masks were in place, Specifically this means:
-
- Staff and other workers must wear face coverings when they are working in any indoor area that is open to the public and where they are likely to come into contact with a member of the public.
- If there is a barrier, such as a screen, between workers and members of the public, staff behind the barrier or screen are not required to wear a face covering.
- Staff are not required to wear face coverings when they are in areas that aren’t open to the public (such as a back office) or are unlikely to come into contact with the public (such as maintenance staff working in cordoned-off areas).
- Staff are not required to wear face coverings when they are in hospitality facilities (such as restaurants and bars), and other areas which are mainly being used for eating or drinking (such as a room or area hired for a drinks reception).
- A face visor or shield may be worn in addition to a face covering but not instead of one. This is because face visors or shields do not adequately cover the nose and mouth, and do not filter airborne particles.
- If any of your staff work in close contact with guests (such massage therapists, security staff, beauticians), or work in contaminated areas (such as cleaners and housekeeping staff) you should also think about whether they need additional protection or personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
- People can take off their face covering when they have a good reason to remove it (a ‘reasonable excuse’). For example, people can take off their face covering when they are eating or drinking in any area. They must put their face covering back on when this reason no longer applies (when they have stopped eating or drinking).
The Primary Guidance for Attractions and Events will be updated shortly along the same lines.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/hotels-and-guest-accommodation
- ACAS Working from Home Guidance
ACAS has produced new guidance for employers on managing staff who are working from home or have asked to work from home. The topic included in the guidance include:
-
- Having a homeworking policy
- Employees requesting to work from Home
- Pay and terms and conditions
https://www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home?utm_source=acaswebsite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WFH
- Boosters for Those Over 18
With over 40% of workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors being under 30, it is important for businesses to encourage their staff to get a booster shot to greatly improve their resistance to the Omicron variant
-
- From today, adults over 30 will be able to book online
- From Wednesday all over 18s will be able to book online
Here is the link to the booking page
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/
- Testing Before Travel To England
People who arrive in England from Ethiopia after 4am Thursday 16 December will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
15 December 2021 …
Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance update:
Updates
- Lateral Flow Test Kits – the advice from the NI Executive is for everybody to take regular lateral flow tests especially when meeting friends or family or attending an event or social gathering. You are now able to find the nearest place to pick up lateral flow tests at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/#/. Around 500 community pharmacies are stocking the test.
- Removal of countries from travel red list – All 11 countries will be removed from the UK’s (including NI) travel red list from 4am on Wednesday 15th December. The countries are Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Pre-Departure Testing (PDT) for vaccinated arrivals over 12 year olds in the 48 hours prior to starting the first leg of their journey to Northern Ireland remain in place as does the requirement for vaccinated non-red list arrivals to self-isolate and take a day 2 PCR test. Arrivals must also remain in isolation until either they get a negative result from the day 2 PCR test or they remain in self-isolation for 10 days from their arrival in Northern Ireland if their day 2 test result is positive.
- 2022 – 2025 Budget – The Finance Minister has published the Draft Budget 2022-2025. This is now undergoing a public consultation at www.finance-ni.gov.uk/budget-consultation and will run until 7 March 2022. This represent the high level budget allocations to each department and there is no detailed departmental budgets. We will be reviewing this in detail over the next month, however some of the main points are:
o Regional Rates for both the domestic and non-domestic will be frozen for the period 2022-25 at the same level as 2021- 22 in cash terms. In addition, it provides further relief for April 2022 for all businesses except utilities and larger food stores, and targeted relief for a further two months relief for retail, tourism, hospitality, leisure, childcare and airport sectors.
o Health represents 50% of the budget in 2021/22 rising to 51% by 2023-24
-
- Available budget is detailed below.
| Resource | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
| Spending Review Core Funding | 12,583.9 | 12,788.7 | 12,982.3 |
| Spending Review – Specific Allocations | 352.2 | 366.6 | 368.6 |
| UK Financial Packages | 58.1 | 57.3 | 54.0 |
| Total UKG Control Totals | 12,994.2 | 13,212.6 | 13,404.9 |
| Regional Rates Income | 577.2 | 628.1 | 630.0 |
| Total Resource Financing | 13,571.4 | 13,840.7 | 14,034.9 |
| Capital | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
| Spending Review Core Funding | 1,686.2 | 1,784.7 | 1,759.2 |
| UK Financial Packages | 157.4 | 143.3 | 78.9 |
| Total UKG Control Totals | 1,843.6 | 1,927.9 | 1,838.1 |
| RRI Borrowing | 140.0 | 194.0 | 200.0 |
| RoI Funding for A5 | 7.4 | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| Total Capital Financing | 1,991.0 | 2,146.9 | 2,063.1 |
- Tourism NI 360 Latest Publication has been published at https://www.tourismni.com/industry-insights/tourism-360/#msdynttrid=ALCNruApeHNxv8aSPLdl_ta6xONWLFL3d8j0hMSpbFE
- Tourism NI National Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme for 2022/23 – Tourism NI’s National Tourism Events Sponsorship Scheme for 2022/23 is now open for applications from Wednesday 1 December at 10am and will close on Monday 17 January 2022 at 12 noon. The scheme is an Open Call process and applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis. Over the last year, the value of delivering digital elements of events alongside live programmes has been demonstrated and appreciated, so the scheme for 2022/23 will continue to support hybrid as well as live events. Note that digital only events will not be eligible for support. The aim is that TNI will be in touch with all applicants by the end of February 2022 with an update on the assessment of their application, subject to assessment panel dates. More details at https://www.tourismni.com/build-your-business/sector/other-sectors/other-sectors-growing-your-business/events-industry-support/?utm_source=W%2FC+06%2F12%2F21+Spotlight&utm_medium=W%2FC+06%2F12%2F21+Spotlight&utm_id=W%2FC+06%2F12%2F21+Spotlight#msdynttrid=KJlJAeQb8fgO8nOuHJYt7Zvj6NHIcW327AWPCa0L1mM
- Live Events Reinsurance Scheme – end of grace period – The initial grace period of the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme will soon end. Currently, cover can be purchased as late as one day before the event is scheduled to take place. However, after 15 December 2021, cover must be purchased no less than 8 weeks before the event is due to occur. For events between 16 December 2021 and 10 February 2022, the cut off date to purchase cover is 15 December, 2021. Please see this update for further details on how to apply.
- National Lottery funding to help communities celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – The National Lottery Community Fund has launched the £3.5million Platinum Jubilee Fund, which will provide grants of up to £50,000 to 70 community projects across the UK, celebrating Her Majesty’s The Queen’s 70 years of public service in June 2022. In addition to The Platinum Jubilee Fund, grants of up to £10,000 from The National Lottery Awards For All programme will be available for community-led events throughout 2022. Please see here for more information.
- Interim Report from the Independent Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland – The Independent Fiscal Commission for NI has published its Interim Report. The report explores the case for Northern Ireland gaining additional powers over taxation and considers over 20 different UK taxes, listing those considered good candidates for devolution to be considered further in the second phase of the Commission’s work – as well as those considered less of a priority at this time. The focus of the second report will be the devolution of powers over income tax. We will review this in detail over the next month as taxes such as APD, Apprenticeship Levy and Corporation Tax are included in the interim report. The report can be accessed at https://www.fiscalcommissionni.org/evidence/fcni-interim-report-more-fiscal-devolution-northern-ireland
- Further Measures and Support In Scotland – The First Minister has announced that, from midnight on Friday, new measures will be introduced to stem the flow of transmission, keep businesses and services open, and protect against pressure on health services. Further guidance on the additional measures announced by the First Minister will be published by the end of the week. These include:
- Businesses, service providers and places of worship asked to take all reasonable measures to avoid crowding, encourage wearing of masks and support distancing in their premises
- Guidance to ensure that people who can work from home, do so – for those in sectors where working from home is not possible, regular testing with lateral flow tests should be undertaken
- Reinforcement of protective measures in retail and other settings including distancing, managing customer flows, and protective screens
- Reinforcement of protective measures in hospitality settings including collection of contact tracing information and measures to reduce crowding
- Guidance to increase mask wearing in outdoor crowded areas such as Christmas markets or festive celebrations
She also announced £100 million of additional funding to ensure the Self-Isolation Support Grant is available to those who need it, and a £100 million financial package for eligible businesses in the hospitality ,and food supply and culture sectors that have lost crucial bookings over the Xmas/New Year period. https://www.gov.scot/news/new-measures-required-to-slow-the-spread-of-coronavirus/
16 December 2021 …
Tourism Alliance update:
We have been asked to help DCMS assess the impact of the move to Plan B and the Omicron variant on the Tourism And Hospitality Sectors. As such I have put together a survey for you to send to your members with the questions that DCMS would like information on in order to build a case for Government intervention.
DCMS has put a completion date of 10th January but we need to get as many responses as soon as possible help with lobbying activities before the Xmas break. Therefore, can you ask your members to complete the survey as soon as possible. I will be undertaking the first analysis of results on Monday so if we can get as many responses as possible before then, that would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the link to the survey
https://forms.gle/i5vjc5ivNV7Aofbc7
If you have any queries or need something amended on the survey, please let Tourism Alliance know as it can made any amends in real time.
- Transport Figures
This week’s DfT survey of transport use has been published and, slightly surprisingly, does not indicate a significant change in the use of public transport. The figures for National Rail are not available by the bus and tube use figures are still the same as they have been over previous weeks at, respectively, 65% and 75% of normal.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-use-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic
- Exemptions From Travel Restrictions
The guidance on those jobs that qualify for an exemption to travel restrictions has been updated with further guidance for people in international organisations granted privileges and immunity in the UK
- Test And Trace Guidance Updated
The Test and trace Guidance has been updated to say that contacts of people who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) who are not legally required to self-isolate are advised to take daily lateral flow device (LFD) tests for 7 days. If any of these tests are positive, they should self-isolate and arrange to have a PCR test. This also applies to contacts of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance
