COVID-19 Updates – week commencing 20/04/20
Here is a further update of developments from the government and various links to interpretation and guidance.
Go to date:
20 April 2020 …
CPT operational updates:
CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME – STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HMRC has released a step by step guide explaining the information that employers need to provide to HMRC to make a claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
The guide also describes the processes involved
There will also be a calculator available when the system goes live on Monday for employers to check their calculations online prior to making a claim.
HMRC advice that employers should have all the information and calculations ready before you begin your application.
If you have a payroll provider, they will be able to help you with this.
Employers are reminded that they should retain all records of claims made and the associated calculations in case HMRC need to contact you about them
The guide is available from the link below
SUSPENSION OF DRIVER MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS – TEMPORARY CHANGES
As members will be aware, following extensive CPT engagement with DfT & DVLA the Secretary of State for Transport announced on Friday (17th April) that the requirement for drivers over the age of 45 to undertake a medical examination, and submit a completed D4 medical report when they renew their vocational entitlement has been temporarily suspended
This means that any driver whose licence entitlement has expired since 1 January 2020, or whose entitlement expires during the current COVID-19 pandemic can apply to renew that entitlement without submitting a completed D4
DVLA emphasise that these changes are temporary and will only apply where the driver does not have any existing notifiable health conditions, and also only when their licence has not expired before 1 January 2020
The new licence will only be valid for one year instead of the usual five years and the driver will need to undertake a medical examination and submit a completed D4 when the licence is due for renewal after 12 months
It is important to note that the general application process remains the same as usual and vocational drivers will be required to continue to self-declare any medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive
Those with health issues that prevent them from driving safely will not have their licence renewed
All drivers must ensure they are medically fit to drive
RENEWING A VOCATIONAL LICENCE ENTITLEMENT – DVLA GUIDANCE
DVLA is currently operating with reduced staff numbers on site and are prioritising their work and services to focus on critical workers and the services that they are providing to deal with the pandemic and to keep the country going.
This includes the services that they provide for the passenger transport sector, and vocational licence renewal applications are being given the highest priority.
CPT has been asked to stress to members the importance of sending the renewal application to the exact address and postcode shown on the application form:
DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR
This will ensure that the application is not delayed and gets directly to the team dealing with applications from critical workers and will receive the prioritisation that the Agency has agreed to arrange for us
Full guidance from DVLA is available from the link below
BUSWORLD ACADEMY WEBINAR – HOW CAN COACH OPERATORS GENERATE INCOME DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS ?
BusWorld Academy will be holding an online webinar on Thursday 23rd April at 14:00 BST to try to answer the important question “How can coach operators generate income and reduce costs during COVID-19?”
Six managers of coach operating companies from around the world will share their experiences and respond to your questions and remarks.
This webinar is aiming at managers in coach and bus companies and industry associations, worldwide and at all stakeholders that want to contribute to the revival of the industry.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Mohammed A. Afzal – Chairman & Managing Director AB Business Enterprises – The Parveen Group, India
- Mark Anderson – CEO Anderson Travel, UK
- Trinh Gia Hien – Executive Assistant HAIVAN Group, Vietnam
- Luis A. Pedrero – CEO Car Tour, Spain
- Bronwyn Wilson – President IMG (International Motorcoach Group), USA
- Thami Mourad – Vice President GM2 Tours, Morocco
Members who wish to join this webinar can register from the link below:
21 April 2020 …
CPT operational updates:
OPERATOR COMPLIANCE AUDITS – GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain have decided that during the COVID-19 pandemic they will accept compliance audits undertaken remotely
The temporary measures aim to improve operator safety whilst operating in compliance with public health advice
Compliance Audits must continue to be based on evidence, and therefore the standard audit framework has been adjusted to take into acount that the auditor will not be present at the operating centre
The main principals of the remote audit will be:
- • Operators should scan or photograph documents to send to the auditor. Each document must be complete and easy to read
- • Operators should make use of publicly available information, for example, on vehicle taxation status and MOT history
- • Operators are reminded that they should not share VOL login details with auditors. These should only be used by the named person and not transferable
- • Operators can make use software such as Zoom, Skype or Microsoft Teams to share screens so that the auditor can check remotely, for example, tachograph and maintenance records stored electronically
- • Where an operator provides auditors with remote access to any online compliance systems (such as for maintenance or drivers hours) they do so at their own risk. It will always be safer to share screens
- • The auditor, must confirm the identity of operator representatives before any interview or debrief starts. The debrief should be with a director, partner or the sole trader and with the Transport Manager for standard licences
The full guidance is available from the link below
22 April 2020 …
Tourism Alliance updates:
There are a range of new announcements today including a new tool to help businesses understand what support they are entitled to.
Support Finder Tool
BEIS has launched a support finder tool to help businesses and self-employed people to determine what financial support is available to them. Businesses are asked to fill out a online questionnaire which, when completed, lists the financial support they are eligible to receive.
https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Centre For Cities Economic Impact Analysis
The Centre for Cities has produced an analysis of which cities they believe will suffer the greatest economic impact as a result of Coronavirus. The analysis is based on a model whereby various industries are categorised on the basis of the expected impact of the disease (either “Unaffected or Higher Demand”, “Affected”, “Vulnerable” or “Very Vulnerable”) with the impact on various cities being based on the percentage of businesses they have in each category. It is worth noting that Tourism Businesses are categorised as “Very Vulnerable” meaning that the larger the tourism industry in a particular destination, the greater the local economy will be impacted.
EU Regional Development, Social and Agricultural Fund Coronavirus Q&As
The Government has produced Q&As for European Regional Development, Social and Agricultural Fund delivery partners and funding recipients aimed at helping existing projects get through this period and the potential to adjust some activities in line with emerging needs.
State of the Scottish Economy
The Scottish Government’s Chief Economist has published a report on recent developments in the global, UK and Scottish economies and provides an analysis of the performance of, and outlook for, the Scottish economy (copy attached) . There is a section in the report on the tourism industry which notes that the impact of Coronavirus on Scotland’s tourism sector has been rapid and significant with Scottish hotel occupancy and room revenues for the week beginning 22nd March being around 80 per cent lower on average compared to the previous year.
WTTC #TogetherinTravel Campaign
Recognising that need to get people travelling again once this pandemic is over, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new marketing campaign, #TogetherInTravel, aimed at galvanizing the global travel and tourism community and showing how the sector is a vital part of life. The campaign encourages travellers from around the world to share the hashtag #TogetherInTravel along with a video uniting everyone. Here’s a link for businesses that explains how they can get involved in the campaign and the campaign microsite itself.
https://wttc.org/en-gb/COVID-19/Member-Hub/TogetherInTravel-Members-Assets
http://www.togetherintravel.com/
23 April 2020 …
CPT Operational updates
LIFTING OPERATIONS & LIFTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS – LOLER
HSE emphasis that the law for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) remain in place. However they do recognise the potential challenges that business may face currently when carrying out legal requirements for thorough examination and testing (TE&T) of plant and equipment.
HSE say they will adopt a pragmatic and proportionate approach towards enforcement action for non-compliance with statutory requirements which are directly attributable to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
The usual enforcement response will be to take no action if the only failing is that TE&T is not carried out by the required date.
HSE stress that equipment should only be used outside of its test regime if you can demonstrate that it is critical for essential work and that it can still be operated safely.
Operators must be able to demonstrate that they have made all reasonable attempts to have the TE&T carried out, made a thorough assessment of the increased risk and taken appropriate action to manage any risks identified.
HSE has produced a guidance note which is available from the link below.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TESTING – KEY WORKERS
The National Testing Programme launched by the Department of Health & Social Care will provide a coronavirus test to symptomatic key workers or symptomatic members of their household.
This is intended to help support the return to work of key workers and help employers maximise their workforce capacity.
The list of key workers includes those who are workers critical to the continuity of essential travel.
When an employer of key workers has a member(s) of staff who reports the need for a coronavirus test, they should:
- Confirm that the employee is either self-isolating because they have coronavirus symptoms or a member(s) of their household are showing symptoms and are therefore eligible for testing;
- Send the employee requesting a test a link to complete their registration for testing. The link for key employee referral can be found here: Get Tested.
The employee will then automatically be offered a testing appointment in their area, most likely for the following day.
Currently, employees are only able attend a test site if they have a car or that a member of their household has a car. They must drive/be driven to the test site. They will also have to show their employee ID or confirmation email, upon arrival
Further information about Coronavirus testing for key workers can be found on the link below
CORONAVIRUS TESTING FOR KEY WORKERS
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HELPING BUSINESS – HMRC WEBINARS
HMRC has made available a recording of one of their recent webinars that covered how to make a claim for furloughed workers under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The recording can be found on the link below
The webinars covered:
• furloughed workers
- who can apply for the scheme
- following the rules of the scheme
- how much may be claimed
- how to claim and what you’ll need to claim
HOME TESTS FOR CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – KEY WORKERS PILOT SCHEME
Earlier today (23rd April) we advised members of the Department of Health & Social Care National Testing Programme provides COVID 19 tests to frontline workers or symptomatic members of their household to support the NHS and other employers of key workers in maximising its workforce capacity
In addition to this the Department are exploring options to role-out home testing to ensure the maximum possible number of tests can be undertaken
Home testing will be targeted at key workers who cannot access a drive through test site for example due to lack of access to transport or remote locations
DHSC is interested to speak to employers of key workers who are interested in becoming involved in the pilot scheme
ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME TESTING – KEY WORKERS PILOT SCHEME
Workers who will be eligible for home testing will be:
- Self-isolating because the worker is symptomatic. In this instance the keyworker is the only eligible person in their household to receive a COVID 19 test. No other members of their household are eligible.
- Self-isolating because an adult (over 18) in their household is symptomatic, but the key worker is not. In this instance only the adult household member(s) of the keyworker is eligible to receive a COVID 19 test. It is that household member(s) whose data must be collected. The worker will not receive a test. If more than one household member is symptomatic, but not the keyworker, then all household members should be tested.
- Self isolating because a child (age 5 18) in their household member is symptomatic, but the key worker is not In this instance, only the under 18 household member of the keyworker is eligible to receive a COVID 19 test. Children under 5 are currently not eligible to be tested
- Self isolating for other reasons. If the keyworker is self isolating for other reasons and is not themselves symptomatic, they are not eligible to be tested
HOME TESTING PROCESS – KEY WORKER PILOT SCHEME
The intended process is shown below:
A key worker will be nominated by their employer. The employee will then complete an application form (a digital alternative is currently in development).
The worker will be required to provide their:
- Name
- National Insurance Number
- email contact details
Once accepted, the key worker will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the test.
The home testing kit will be delivered to the worker by Amazon.
After the worker has self-administered the test, the test kit will be collected by Royal Mail and taken to the testing laboratory.
Test results will be delivered (estimated as 48 72 hours) by email direct to the key worker.
DHSC will expect employers to gain consent from workers that their personal information can be shared before the test is requested.
DHSC privacy policy can be found here
24 April 2020 …
CPT Operational updates
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HELPING BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT SUPPORT-WHAT AM I ENTITLED TO?
The Government has produced a questionnaire that, once completed will undertake a review of your business / personal circumstances and details all available grants, reliefs and loan support that you may be entitled for.
The site also provides automated links to allow you follow up upon your options
The website is available from the link below.
TRY IT – if nothing else it should confirm to you that you have claimed everything you are eligible for
EMPLOYER BULLETIN – APRIL 2020
HMRC publishes a bi-monthly employer bulletin 6 times a year, to ensure employers have access to the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them.
This bulletin contains the latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, along with updates on the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and the deferral of VAT payments,
The bulletin can be found on the link below.
Employers can sign up to receive the lastest updates and news from HMRC using this link
