Both the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary are in isolation having both tested positive for Covid-19. Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for housing, hosted Sunday’s press conference.
As of yesterday, nearly 128,000 people have been tested, 19,522 tested positive and very sadly 1228 have died. In Stockport there have been 79 confirmed cases, 27.9 per 100,000 population.
Mr Jenrick re-emphasised the importance for us to ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives’.
PPE – across all parts of the UK, procedures are in place to move forward on an emergency footing, bringing together the emergency services, local councils supported by the armed forces using a coordinated approach across the country working 24×7 to get supplies out to 58,000 front line workers: NHS trusts, social workers and health centres including GP surgeries.
Protecting the most vulnerable – last week the PM said 1.5m people must stay isolating at home – 1m have been written to with details of who to contact for help via a dedicated phone line and online. Food Packages of essentials will be available along with prescription deliveries. 12,000 returning NHS staff been deployed this weekend. 750,000 people have signed up as NHS volunteers.
First food parcels delivered to clinically vulnerable people
Case numbers will rise: People need to realise that case numbers are going to keep going up for the next 10 days in spite of the lockdown, because of spread that has already happened and the time it takes for the virus to take hold. It is important that people understand this; we need to guard against people starting to think the lockdown is not working while this happens.
Health News:
Mercedes F1 team engineer new Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing aid
Already used in hospitals, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing aids – CPAPs – push oxygen into the lungs without the need for a ventilator and could be a life saver in the fight against Coronavirus. The current model has been modified by the Mercedes F1 engineers and is currently in testing. Up to 1,000 of the CPAP machines can be produced per day by Mercedes-AMG-HPP, beginning in a week’s time.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has already given its approval for their use.
Manchester Central to become NHS Nightingale Hospital in fight against coronavirus
Manchester Central Convention Complex is to be used as a so-called ‘Nightingale hospital’. A 1,000-bed facility at the Manchester Central Conference Centre (formerly the GMEX Centre) will open in mid-April.
Government launches new drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff
Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed to support key industries during COVID-19
Workers who have not taken all of
their statutory annual leave entitlement due to COVID-19 will now be able to
carry it over into the next 2 leave years.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rules-on-carrying-over-annual-leave-to-be-relaxed-to-support-key-industries-during-covid-19
Under the plans, the UK’s Insolvency Framework will add new restructuring tools that mirror the USA’s Chapter 11 procedure, a well-established model adopted by countries around the world.
Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online
Specialist units are operating to combat misinformation about coronavirus and five to ten incidents are being identified and tackled each day.
Government is easing administrative requirements and barriers to imports without compromising on safety.
By easing regulations, new suppliers and businesses that produce ingredients for hand sanitiser will be able to bring their products to market in a matter of days.
| HSE supports hand sanitiser manufacturers |
| The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken steps to support hand sanitiser manufacturers as UK production is increasing to tackle Coronavirus. |
Foreign Secretary statement on international cooperation and the coronavirus
Dominic Raab gave a statement after the US-chaired session where G7 Foreign Ministers committed to use their collective powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-international-cooperation-and-the-coronavirus
Annual inspection waiver for tank vehicles
Notice allowing tank vehicles, with extended roadworthiness test certificates, to remain in service and on our roads without a valid ADR 1(C) certificate.
COVID-19: guidance for staff in the transport sector
No personal guarantees Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Big Four banks have agreed not to take personal guarantees as security for lending below £250,000.
HMG updated guidance for furloughed workers / job retention scheme (26 March)
The Treasury has given further details on the coronavirus job retention scheme. Employer national insurance and pension contributions will be covered by the Government for furloughed employees. People who have been furloughed can volunteer for the NHS with no risk to their pay.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers
Guidance for schools about temporarily closing (school closures Q&A)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-school-closures
Guidance on vulnerable children and young people (vulnerable children and young people Q&A)
Please note: these updates clarify and update terminology used in the guidance and do not include substantive policy changes or additional Q&A. We will continue to flag further updates as they are made.
Mental health and wellbeing guidance
This weekend Public Health England has published new advice to support mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak. PHE has also updated the Every Mind Matters platform with specific advice on maintaining good mental wellbeing during the outbreak.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/
New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak
People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
Annual leave can be carried over
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has made an announcement alongside the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs on rules around annual leave requirements being relaxed. Workers who have not taken their statutory annual leave allowance will be able to carry it over into the next two years.
Mortgage offers extended for up to 3 months
UK Finance and the Building Societies Association have announced that mortgage lenders are to give customers who have exchanged contracts an extension to their mortgage offer for up to three months, in order to allow them to move home at a later date.
Updates on provision for vulnerable children and young people.
Questions and answers about the provisions being made for vulnerable children and young people. Updated the following sections of the guidance: 13, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 30.
Message from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
| We welcome information?from businesses on?impacts across supply, demand and labour markets, actions?to address these impacts, and any gaps in the Government?response?from?your?perspective. Please send your intelligence?to?intel@beis.gov.uk. We?are aware that individual company information may be commercially sensitive, and it will be treated accordingly. Please note that this inbox is only for receiving intelligence and does not provide business advice. |
Stockport Jobs Match
As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, some sectors have seen a huge surge in demand for their goods and services leaving them with an immediate shortage of staff.
Stockport Council has launched a FREE job matching website to help support employers with vacancies and individuals across the Stockport borough who are looking for work.
The service, Stockport Jobs Match, will help to connect employers who have urgent temporary or permanent vacancies with applicants who are immediately available and in need of employment.
There is also a call for temporary staff to cover priority functions due to sickness.
The Stockport Jobs Match service is a free to use resource for both individuals and businesses. The website will also help signpost individuals to available support services and information.
How are you doing?
If you are a business owner in Stockport, Totally Stockport and Stockport Council are also keen to find out what your needs are at this difficult time so they can provide the most appropriate advice and support.
To help them understand more, visit www.bidsurvey.com and help them to help you.
Useful links:
Government – Business Support:
Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Government – Financial Support:
Government – Business Support:
Bank of England – Financial Support:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2020/march/the-covid-corporate-financing-facility
Stockport Council Grant scheme:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/business-rates-support-measures
Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision:
UK Lockdown – Further businesses to close and exceptions:
Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus
Food & Drink – advice and guidance:
Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/
Health – Shielding the most vulnerable
Travel:
https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information
Recruitment: – DWP and Universal Credit
Retail: An update form British Retail Consortium
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/coronavirus-latest-retailer-activity/
Retail: Ocado update to all customers
Customers will be limited to one delivery per 7 day period, and some large items won’t be available to maximise the number of deliveries each van can make. They are still not accepting new customers.
Useful information for the Self-Employed:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/#vid
Stockport park unveils tribute to young community hero 
Last chance to get the winter Covid-19 booster 
Stockport hosts further pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics ahead of Christmas