COVID-19 Updates – week commencing 18/05/20
More updates of developments from the government and various links to interpretation and guidance.
Go to date:
19 May 2020 …
ETOA webinar
Here is the link to the ETOA webinar Crisis and Recover: UK Employment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjxW7QF4yIs
Tourism Alliance updates
There’s a range of issues today including the realisation that the Discretionary Fund may not be as supportive to some tourism businesses as envisaged.
Problem with Discretional Fund
A significant problem has been discovered with the new £617m Discretionary Fund that was launched yesterday that will impact a number of small businesses. The Guidance on the eligibility for the fund states that this grant funding is for businesses that are not eligible for other support schemes including the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
What this means is that sole traders that either pay council tax such as B&Bs, operate without premises, or operate from premises where the rates are paid by someone else, will not be eligible for this Fund because they are eligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme. The net result being that sole traders with low levels of profitability end up with little support through the SEISS and no support through the Discretionary Fund.
Conversely, self-catering operators, people who have set themselves up as registered businesses and those people whose income from their businesses is less than 50% of their total income, will be eligible provided that they don’t pay business rates.
Quarantining
It seems that the Government’s proposals for quarantining people coming to the UK will be announced on Monday rather than today as we were originally informed. It is also notable that the Government seems to be back-tracking on last week’s announcement that the quarantine would not apply to travel between the UK and France with a spokeperson from No 10 saying that the exemption will be limited to people in key professions such as truck drivers and scientists.
Claiming Statutory Sick Pay
The online service for reclaiming SSP is not available yet but HMRC have announced that businesses will need their Government Gateway user ID to file a claim. Businesses will also need to enrol for the PAYE Online service Businesses that use an agent to complete their PAYE online for you will be able to use their agent to file a claim. The HMRC have also said that an alternative way to claim will be available that claim for those unable to use the online system.
Road and Rail Investment
The Government has announced £1.7 billion of investment to improve journeys for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers across England through repairs to local roads and is fast tracking £175 m of repair works while fewer passengers are using transport system. I’m not sure if this is simply a reannouncement of the Budget plans to invest in road and rail services or in addition to that funding commitment.
At the same time the Government has also published a vision document regarding the installation of high powered fast recharging points able to will deliver around 120-145 miles of range in just 15 minutes for electric vehicles The vision is for:
At least 6 high powered, open access chargepoints at motorway service areas in England by 2023
· Around 2,500 high powered chargepoints across England’s motorways and major A roads by 2030
· 6,000 high powered chargepoints across England’s motorways and major A roads by 2035.
Shortage Occupation List review
This is not Coronavirus related, and it seems a bit odd to be talking about skills shortages in the sector while about 80% of employees are furloughed, but as you will know, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was commissioned in March to conduct a review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), with a specific focus on the expansion of the SOL to cover job roles at RQF levels 3-5. The MAC has now launched the call for evidence here. It will be open for six weeks and closes on 24th June 2020.
Operational updates from CPT
COVID-19 – UPDATED SYMPTOMS
Members will be aware that the Department of Health & Social Care has changed the guidelines around the symptoms of COVID-19 that will require self-isolation
The expansion in testing eligibility includes anosmia being added as a symptom of COVID-19. Anosmia is the loss of or a change in your normal sense of smell, and it can also affect your sense of taste.
This means people should self-isolate immediately if they have:
- a new, continuous cough, or
- a high temperature, or
- a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste
All members of their household must also self-isolate according to current guidelines, unless the symptomatic individual receives a negative test result
UPDATED SELF ISOLATION GUIDELINES
COVID-19 NATIONAL TESTING PROGRAM – UPDATED INFORMATION
There has also been changes to the guidelines over the eligibility requirements to request a test under the National Testing Program
Who can get tested?
Following the announcement by the Secretary of State on 18 May 2020, the following categories of individuals experiencing symptoms of coronavirus can request a test:
- All adults in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- All children aged 5 and above
Essential Workers and members of their household who have symptoms will continue to be prioritised for testing and should continue to register for a test through the Self-Referral and Employer Portals on gov.uk. (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland retain separate eligibility definitions for essential workers)
Other eligible individuals can book a test here, or can contact the Coronavirus Testing Call Centre on 119 (in England and Wales) and 0300 303 2713 (in Scotland and Northern Ireland) between the hours of 7am – 11pm
The NHS announcement can be found on the link below
EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY 18th MAY 2020
REGIONAL TEST SITES – LOCATIONS
There are currently 51 regional test sites available throughout the UK
London Chessington (World of Adventure)
London Wembley (IKEA)
London Greenwich (O2 TfL Car Park)
London Nightingale Walk-in-Centre (ExCel)
London Edmonton (Lee Valley Athletics Park)
London Twickenham (Stadium)
London Heathrow (Airport Car Park)
South East Gatwick (Airport)
South East Brighton (AmEx Stadium)
South East Portsmouth (Tipner Lorry Park)
South East Oxford (Thornhill Park & Ride)
South East Guildford (Onslow Park & Ride)
South West Plymouth (Seaton Barracks)
South West Bristol (Airport)
South West Exeter (Honiton Park & Ride)
South West Bournemouth (Creekmore Park & Ride)
East of England Stansted (Airport)
East of England Ipswich (Copdock P&R)
East of England Milton Keynes (South Second St CP)
East of England Peterborough (East Of England Showground)
East of England Lincoln (Lincolnshire Showground)
Midlands Nottingham (Motorpoint Arena)
Midlands Birmingham (Edgbaston)
Midlands Worcester (Warriors)
Midlands Birmingham (Midlands Metropolitan Hospital)
Midlands Coventry (RICOH Arena)
Midlands Leicester (Birstall Park & Ride)
North East & Yorkshire Gateshead (IKEA)
North East & Yorkshire Leeds (Temple Green)
North East & Yorkshire Doncaster (Airport)
North East & Yorkshire Hull (Humber Bridge Car Park)
North East & Yorkshire Poppleton P&R York
North East & Yorkshire Bradford (University)
North East & Yorkshire Newcastle (Great Park & Ride)
North West Manchester (Airport)
North West Liverpool (Haydock Park)
North West Preston (College)
North West Penrith (Rugby Club)
North West Manchester (Etihad Stadium)
Scotland Glasgow (Airport)
Scotland Aberdeen (Airport)
Scotland Edinburgh (Airport)
Scotland Inverness (University of Highlands and Islands)
Scotland Perth (Perth College UHI)
Wales Cardiff
Wales Llandudno (Builder Street Coach Park)
Wales Carmarthen (Showground)
Wales Abercynon (Railway Station)
Northern Ireland Belfast (Odyssey Arena)
Northern Ireland Londonderry (Derry City Rugby Club)
Northern Ireland Portadown (Craigavon DVA Centre)
In to these addition there are currently 83 mobile testing units, and a number of satellite testing sites
20 May 2020 …
CPT operational updates
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HELPING BUSINESS – HMRC WEBINARS
HMRC will be holding webinars today (20th May) and on Thursday (21st May) and Friday (22nd May) covering various aspects of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Statutory Sick Pay rebate scheme
Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme:
This webinar will provide an overview of the scheme, covering at who can claim, when to start paying SSP, employees you can claim for, making a claim, keeping records, and other important information
You can register to attend this webinar here
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim:
This webinar guides employers through making a claim, including the essential information employers will need, what to do before making a claim, calculating and the processing the claim
You can register to attend this webinar here
22 May 2020 …
Tourism Alliance updates:
Plans For London’s Recovery
The Government has announced that MHCLG and London Mayor’s Office will form a new London Transition Board to co-ordinate London’s response as it emerges from the lockdown and begins to reopen. The Board will be made up of senior leaders from across the city and provide strategic direction for the next phase of response and restart, focusing on the key issues which London will face over the coming months, including:
-
- infection control
- phasing in and out of varying levels of lockdown
- recovery of public services, such as transport
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-announced-for-london-s-covid-19-recovery
BEIS Webinars on Making Your Workplace Safe
BEIS is holding a series of webinars on how to make your workspace safe for staff and customers. These seminars are based around the eight workplace-related guidance notes published so far and includes offices, restaurants doing takeaway/deliver services and working outdoors.
You can sign up to these webinars on the following link:
ALVA Recovery Tracker
The key finding from the latest attractions-related recovery tracking research from ALVA:
-
- Since the government announcement around lockdown easing, the market has become even more cautious about visits than before, especially to indoor attractions
- General concern over crowds and distancing is still the major visit barrier, but people are becoming more focussed on the safety measures they expect from attractions when they re-open
- The benefit of a ‘charter mark’ is likely to be high – over half the market feel this would give them the extra confidence they needed to visit
- Moving elements of the visit experience outside, where possible, will help generate visits
- There is an increased acceptance of PPE among potential visitors
- Concerns around using public transport to visit attractions are high
- Visitors are not expecting blanket admissions price discounting
Ofqual Decisions on Awarding Vocational and Technical Qualifications
Ofqual has published it’s decision on the awarding of vocational and technical qualifications which could impact some company’s training and apprenticeship programmes. Their determination is that for qualifications that are primarily used to signal occupational competence, it would not be suitable for these learners to receive a calculated result. This is because it would not be clear they possessed the skills required for the job, which could have health and safety – or other professional – implications. As such, the starting point for these qualifications is for awarding organisations to adapt the assessment or delivery model so that assessments can be completed under the current public health restrictions
Visa Extensions
Visa extensions for those unable to leave the UK because of coronavirus have been extended to 31 July 2020.
Consumer Sentiment Research
With businesses starting to think about how they might reopen after 4th July, one of the main tools they will need in insights on consumer sentiment. To help with this BVA-BDRC are publishing weekly research briefings that track consumer sentiment in relation to tourism and leisure. These reports contain a wealth of information but are a bit big to attach so you can download this week’s research briefing via the WeTransfer link below
and, even better, you can sign up to receive them free of cost each week on the following link.
https://www.bva-bdrc.com/products/tracking-consumer-sentiment-on-the-impact-of-covid-19/
The Government has just announced more detail on the Quarantining of people entering the UK.
The main points are:
- The requirement for 14 day quarantining will come into force on 8th June
- It will be reviewed every 21 day – so it will be in operation at least until 29th June
- The Common Travel Area will be exempt
- There will be exemptions for freight haulers and other critical workers (full list to be published soon)
- People travelling into the UK will have to complete an online form with where they are staying before travelling
- There will be spot checks on compliance with self-isolating after travel and a £1000 fine
The announcement was framed in terms of Government action on this being let by the science and not wanting to risk a second wave of outbreak by allowing people into the UK. However, it’s hard to understand the science whereby people from Germany (which has just 12,000 active cases among 83m people) present a significant threat to the UK (which has an active infection rate 10 times higher than that). Similarly, which only 2 people in Iceland having Coronavirus, it would seem the probability of people from Iceland causing a second wave of infection in the UK is rather remote.
Further information on the announcement is available on this link
CPT Operational updates
WORKING SAFELY DURING COVID-19 – MAKING A WORKPLACE COVID SECURE
The Government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces in England are as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are hosting a series webinars to help businesses find out more about how to make workplaces COVID-19 secure
The webinars will cover a range of different types of workplace settings which are currently allowed to be open.
As many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles, you may need to use more than one of the guides/webinars as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe
The available webinars and details of how to register are:
- Wednesday 27 May, 11am: Factories, plants and warehouses
- Wednesday 27 May, 3pm: Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- Thursday 28 May, 11am: Shops and branches
- Thursday 28 May, 3pm: Vehicles
- Monday 1 June, 11am: Construction and other outdoor work
- Monday 1 June, 3pm: Labs and research facilities
- Tuesday 2 June, 11am: Offices and contact centres
- Tuesday 2 June, 3pm: Homes
