As of latest official figures released, 135,000 people have been tested, 22,141 tested positive and very sadly 1408 have died.
The message from Government has not changed but is amplified: ‘Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save lives’.
30th March: Government’s 5pm media briefing presented by the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab:
Mr Raab said that the latest Government figures showing 1,408 UK deaths from coronavirus offered a ‘powerful reminder’ of the importance of following the official advice on social distancing – ‘We must stay at home to protect our NHS and save lives.”
He thanked all those on the front line, not just NHS and care staff, but ‘teachers, supermarket workers and the UK’s diplomatic network’.
The Foreign Secretary outlined the extensive work being done to get stranded Britons back to the UK and announced a new arrangement, including working with BA, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet2 and Titan to bring home the tens of thousands of stranded British travellers including young backpackers and elderly people on cruise ships.
He said he had so far spoken to 20 foreign ministers to arrange repatriations. UK travellers, if they haven’t already done so, should check Foreign Office Travel Advice and that advice is under constant review, and it can help travellers to find out more details of how to access the flights under this arrangement.
Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance
also addressed the Press Briefing and presented
slides detailing the spread of the virus. Sir Patrick
said there had been a ‘dramatic reduction’ in social contact since lockdown
measures were put in place last week.
He added that the number of people admitted to hospital with the virus was
expected to continue to increase over the next two to three weeks, before it
hopefully stabilised and reduced. During that time it is important that we
continue to self-isolate, maintain social distancing – the outbreaks expected
over the next 2 – 3 weeks are not an indication that the current advice is not
working but that it takes time for the virus to manifest itself.
New Government partnership with airlines to fly back more
tourists stranded abroad
The Foreign Office has announced a new Government partnership with airlines to
fly back more tourists stranded abroad due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) government-assisted return by air: letter to the airline industry
The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Transport explain the new government-industry partnership to help stranded British travellers to return.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on business support grant funding
Guidance for local authorities setting out details of the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). Version 3 published with updates on State Aid, monitoring and reporting requirements, new annexes on state aid, Spotlight, and post payment checks, clarification of eligibility of charities.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): free school meals guidance
Guidance for schools and
local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Added guidance on school food contracts and
the national voucher scheme, including how to order. Also added a question and
answer section.
Voucher
scheme launches for schools providing free meals
Weekly shopping vouchers worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed due to Coronavirus.
Business Support Outside of Government
The Government is working closely with Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations to support the national response to coronavirus, including ensuring messages from Government are heard by all businesses and that business voices are heard by Government. This link list of organisations you can speak with to get advice. Many of these websites also include sector specific guidance and Q&A.
Exemptions from Devices regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance on the fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19 outbreak. In this exceptional situation, MHRA may authorise you to supply a non-CE marked device in the interest of the protection of health.
Closing certain businesses and venues – compliance
This document provides guidance on the closure of certain businesses and venues as part of further social distancing measures. As of 26 March 2020, new Regulations extending the restrictions are now enforceable by law due to the threat to public health. New information on compliance has been added to the guidance.
Intellectual Property Office services
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Intellectual Property Office have made a number of alterations to their services. This includes alterations to trademarks and designs, patents and interrupted days.
Renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
This new guidance provides advice to landlords and tenants on the provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020, and further advice for landlords, tenants and local authorities more broadly about their rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
The Cabinet Office have produced guidance around the frequently asked questions around the coronavirus outbreak that businesses might like to share with their employees. Find more information here.
COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK, including children, and protecting older people and vulnerable people. Added new easy-read guidance on ‘Staying at home’ and ‘Keeping away from other people’.
Coronavirus – Support from Business
Please find a central hub for businesses to access who wish to offer support. Please see below the links to a portal central government are particularly interested in support in relation to the below:
- medical testing equipment
- medical equipment design
- protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
- hotel rooms
- transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
- manufacturing equipment
- warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
- expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
- social care or childcare
FAQs
If you have any other questions, here is a link to frequently asked questions on the business support hub: https://bit.ly/3aoIAWV
COVID-19: guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Call for businesses to help make NHS ventilators
The Government is looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components.
Temporary approval of home use for both stages of early medical abortion
Temporary approval of women’s homes and the homes of registered medical practitioners as classes of place for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks.
Offer coronavirus (COVID-19) support from your business
Use this service to tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. The support needed includes things like:
- medical testing equipment
- medical equipment design
- protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
- hotel rooms
- transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
- manufacturing equipment
- warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
- expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
- social care or childcare
To offer support click here.
Temporary changes to Right to Work (RTW) checks during the coronavirus outbreak
Since 30 March 2020, Right to Work checks have been temporarily adjusted to make it easier for employers to carry them out during the coronavirus outbreak. Until further notice, employers do not need to see original documents and can complete Right to Work checks over video calls.
Prospective workers are now able to submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have the right to work. Checks continue to be necessary and it is an offence to knowingly employ or let property to anyone who does not have legal immigration status in the UK.
If prospective or existing employees cannot provide any of the accepted documents, employers should use the Employer Checking Service. Once the temporary changes end, employers will be asked to carry out prescribed checks on existing employees who started work during the pandemic.
- Further guidance on what this means for employers can be found on GOV.UK.
- A condensed Fact Sheet on RTW checks can be found by clicking here.
New Updates and Guidance
Business Support FAQs
Frequently asked questions for businesses and employers, on business closures and stay at home, and on the self-employment income support scheme, are available on the business support website.
Destroying spoilt beer during coronavirus (COVID-19)
HMRC has introduced a temporary measure to help brewers and publicans in the destruction of spoilt beer during the coronavirus outbreak.
MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance has been produced for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry covering the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including information on:
- Supporting and authorising the development of vaccines
- Clinical trials of new medicines
- Managing the supply of medicines and healthcare products
- British Pharmacopoeia products and services during the COVID-19 outbreak,
- new guidance on medical devices clinical investigations, and
- new guidance for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) facilities.
MHRA also provide information to patients, manufacturers and healthcare professionals through their established information channels and alert systems.
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