9th December – Coronavirus News Updates

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UK NEWS UPDATES:

Government’s Plan B: work from home, face coverings and vaccine passports

As fears grow over the Omicron variant more restrictions, including guidance to work from home, have been announced for England.The move to tougher measures, or Plan B, will be staggered with rules such as wearing face coverings in places like cinemas and theatres coming into force on Friday, while Covid passes for venues such as nightclubs won’t come into effect until Wednesday. Other UK nations have already brought in stricter restrictions like working from home and Covid passes. Curbs in England come as analysis suggests cases of the new variant could be doubling every 2.5 to three days, and indications show this could lead to a “big rise” in hospitalisations and “therefore sadly in deaths”, says the prime minister. The new rules, which Boris Johnson describes as “proportionate and responsible”, must be voted through Parliament. That takes place next week and despite a mounting backlash over the plan, they are likely to pass with support from Labour. In summary, the measures announced today are:

From 10 Dec, mandatory face covering rules are extended to most indoor settings (but will not include hospitality settings).
From 13 Dec, guidance is for people to work from home if they can. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to travel to their workplace.
From 15 Dec, introduction of mandatory certification for certain settings. This will mean a requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter certain high-risk settings.

Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference: 8 December 2021

Vaccines Minister on the success of COVID-19 vaccine programme
Marking one year since the first vaccine was administered, Maggie Throup urges people to get their booster jabs to top-up immunity during winter

UK’s most vulnerable people to receive life saving COVID-19 treatments in the community
Thousands of vulnerable people are to receive cutting-edge antiviral and antibody treatments for COVID-19.

GOV & BBC UK daily data:

There have been 10.6 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and nearly 146,000 people have died, government figures show. Over 51 million people have now received a first dose of the vaccine, 89% of people in the UK aged 12 and over. 81% have had their second and 37% have had a booster.

Total UK Cases: 10,610,958 positive tests
Latest UK daily figure: 51,342 new cases
Number in UK hospital: 7,317, 22 more than on previous day
New deaths across UK: 161
Total UK deaths: 145,987
England Cases per 100,000: 513
R number in UK: 0.9 to 1.1

Vaccine data:

Total 1^st doses given: 51,161,757 – 89% of UK aged 12+
Total 2^nd doses: 81%
Daily 1^st doses: 23,512
Daily 2nd doses: 28,375
Daily Booster doses: 391,050

REGIONAL & LOCAL NEWS:

North-West set for £26.4billion boost from manufacturing exports
The North-West economy is to be boosted by about £26.4bn by the end of 2021 thanks to UK manufacturing exports, according to a new study.

Barclays Corporate Banking’s report, The Export Dividend, also says the plans of manufacturers who don’t currently export to start selling their products overseas could see that total soar to £28.9bn a year by 2030.

Barclays added that despite widespread supply chain disruption and challenges brought on by the global pandemic and Brexit, 68% of manufacturing firms with 10 or more employees in the North-West are currently exporting.

MAG calls for urgent review of travel rules as results show impact of restrictions
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is calling on the Government to carry out an urgent review of its new travel restrictions as the Group released half year results highlighting the continuing major effect the measures are having on the travel and tourism sector.

Passenger numbers for the first six months of the year were 82% down on 2019 as a result of summer travel restrictions
Traffic increased to 58% of pre-pandemic levels in November after restrictions eased
MAG is calling on the Government to review new Omicron travel restrictions after community transmission was confirmed

Ground-breaking COVID-19 antiviral treatment trial opens to recruitment in Greater Manchester
Local GPs and healthcare professionals have today begun enrolling participants across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire to a first-of-its-kind clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of new oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 – which can be safely taken at home. The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC) trial will rapidly assess a range of purpose-designed antiviral treatments which could help clinically vulnerable people with COVID-19 in the community recover sooner, prevent the need for hospital admission and ease the burden on the NHS. These new antiviral treatments are intended for use in the very early stages of infection, by people in the community with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of complications.

STOCKPORT GRANT SCHEMES:

Stockport Council launches new Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for businesses facing continued challenges from impact of coronavirus
Stockport Council has opened applications for its Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, allowing businesses that remain negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic to access further financial support. The Additional Restrictions Grant supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed. You can apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant if your trading levels continue to be negatively impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

ARG Grant data as at 26/11/2021:
Applications received:         274
Applications allocated:        33%
Value of Grants issued:      £236,500

Locality Boost Grant
The Council is also offering a further opportunity for businesses in local areas to access a Locality Boost Grant for their area if they did not do so in the first round of these grants. The Locality Boost Grant is for district centre trading associations or their equivalent. District centre trading associations can bid for your local area to run events to drive footfall that will support local businesses that are reopening. If the local area does not have a trading association that can lead the bid, an equivalent lead accountable body or local business will need to be agreed by businesses in that area. They will then lead as the single point of contact for their area. Only one application for each local area will be accepted. Further information on the Locality Boost Grant and how to apply is available at this link Locality Boost Grant – Stockport Council”

Locality Boost Grant data as at 26/11/2021:
Applications received: 17
Applications processed / in process: 100%

Latest Stockport coronavirus data:

Total Stockport cases: 52,623 to 7 December
Cases in the latest week: 1,289, 182 more than previous week
Total deaths: 795 to November 26th
Cases per 100,000: 438 per 100,000 week ending 4 December

Stockport vaccine data:

1^st dose: 84% of over 12s to 2 December
2^nd dose: 78%
3^rd / booster dose: 39%

The R value and growth rate
The R range for England is 0.9 to 1.1 and the growth rate range for England is -1% to +2% per day as of 3 December 2021.

SECTOR SPECIFIC CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS:

BUSINESS:

HMRC: Latest updates for employers on the Employer Bulletin
The December edition of the Employer Bulletin brings you all the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers and payroll agents.

There is important information on:

PAYE – there is important information for those who pay employees early for Christmas, and advice on how to prevent and correct payroll errors
UK Transition and the recently agreed UK-Swiss Convention on Social Security coordination which came into force on 1?????? ?November?????? ?2021
coronavirus (COVID-19) summary of guidance published by HMRC, and declaring grants on tax returns
tax updates and changes to guidance, with information on the tax avoidance campaign.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.

OPSS coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for business and local authorities
Guidance on PPE, face coverings, face visors, and hand cleaning and sanitising products, for the protection of consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CARE:

Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes
Replaced the letter and the self-certification form for people with medical exemptions with updated versions to reflect the extension to the self-certification cut-off date to 31 March 2022.

Adult social care in England statistics: background quality and methodology
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the data in its monthly reports – updated to reflect addition of booster rates and changes to response rate methodology.

Monthly statistics for adult social care (England)
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.

Adult social care in England, monthly statistics: December 2021
Experimental statistics on a range of topics including infection control measures, COVID-19 vaccinations, flu vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 in adult social care settings.

COMMUNITY:

Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, updated guidance on asymptomatic testing, tracing close contacts and isolation, face coverings, workforce and the clinically extremely vulnerable. Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19)
This guidance aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.

Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus – updates to reflect new plan B measures being introduced to respond to the rise of the Omicron variant.

Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one
This page explains when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering – updated to reflect the new rules on settings where it is now mandatory to wear face coverings. Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Lists of and information about private test providers, to help you get the private COVID-19 tests you need – updated the general list of providers.

EDUCATION:

Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on tracing close contacts and isolation, ventilation, asymptomatic testing, mandatory certification, recommendation to work from home if you can and clinically extremely vulnerable children and adults.

Special schools and other specialist settings: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on vulnerable children and young people who are self-isolating, tracing close contacts and isolation, face coverings, mandatory certification and clinically extremely vulnerable children and adults.

Ofqual publishes NRT results and contextual analysis 2021
A statement on the National Reference Test (NRT) results we published today.

Higher education providers: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance for higher education providers.
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on HE workforce, communications with students and staff, testing asymptomatic students and staff using LFDs, vaccine certification, students travelling from red countries, mandatory certification and students vaccinated overseas and forming new households.

Actions for FE colleges and providers during the coronavirus pandemic
Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 8 December 2021, we have updated guidance on tracing close contacts and isolation, ventilation, asymptomatic testing, mandatory certification and the content on clinically extremely vulnerable young people and staff.

HEALTH & WELLBEING:

Review of measures for COVID-19 and flu vaccine programmes
Temporary measures for COVID-19 and flu vaccine programme to be extended or made permanent through new consultation

COVID-19 variants identified in the UK
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK.

HOSPITALITY & LEISURE:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hotels and guest accommodation – Information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.

JUDICIARY:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals guidance
This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be updated when new advice is available – updated following UK Government’s announcement that England will move to Plan B.

PROPERTY:

Covid-created arrears still rising warns industry body
The National Residential Landlords Association says average rent debt owed by tenants as a direct result of the pandemic is still increasing.
A survey of over 2,000 private renters in England and Wales by research consultancy Dynata for the NRLA found that average Covid related rent arrears owed by affected tenants had increased to £1,270, up from £900 as recently as May. Whilst the proportion of tenants with arrears built up since the pandemic started in March2 2020 has almost halved to 3.7 per cent from 7.0 per cent in May, there are still some 430,000 private renters with Covid arrears. The survey also found 57 per cent of those with such arrears were not in receipt of Universal Credit, so making them ineligible for Discretionary Housing Payments.

RETAIL:

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace – shops, branches, and close contact services – Information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.

SPORT:

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators
This guidance sets out information for the public and sport providers on how to organise and participate in grassroots sport and physical activity as safely as possible – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, and working from home) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for elite sport
This guidance sets out information for elite sport organisations on how to reduce the risk from COVID-19. This includes guidance on domestic and cross-border competitions – information box added on new measures (face coverings, COVID status checks, working from home, self-isolation, international travel) because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Further information on these measures will be added shortly.

TRANSPORT:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing public health information to passengers travelling to or from England
Information that transport operators must ensure is provided to passengers and how to provide it.

TRAVEL:

Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England – added the section ‘Residents in England who have received COVID-19 vaccinations overseas’.

How to quarantine and test at home if you’ve been in a red list country and have permission to quarantine at home
Quarantine and testing requirements for people allowed to quarantine at home after arriving in England from a red list country, including rules for their households – updated links to book day 2 and day 8 tests with new mandatory provider.

UK ARMED FORCES:

Number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces 2021
Summary statistics on the number of defence personnel who have had a COVID-19 test; and for the UK Armed Forces, the number of positive cases of COVID-19.
Addition of: number of COVID-19 tests in defence and positive cases in the UK Armed Forces as at 26 November 2021.

Covid-19 Webinars:

ACAS – run a series of courses to help businesses with transition from lockdown

Brexit Webinars:

Exporting: Actions you need to take now: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Key processes include – staged border controls, zero-rated VAT, customs declaration, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.

Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: You now need to complete import or export declarations to trade goods with the EU. These are complex and a lot of businesses choose to use an intermediary to do these for them. This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader if you choose to use an intermediary. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.

What are customs import declarations?: If you import goods, you now need to make customs import declarations on controlled goods and all goods by the end of June. This webinar will help you understand what they are in more detail. This includes what is needed for simplified declarations, supplementary declarations, how to make them, and delayed import declarations. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.

Importing: Staged controls and how to prepare to use them: This webinar will walk you through the three stages of the new border controls introduced on 1?? ?January?? ?2021, and what actions you need to take for each stage. Please register to take part if you’re planning to import.

LATEST LINKS:

Repayment period for Bounce Back Loans extended to ten years
Businesses that took out government Bounce Back loans to help them through the Coronavirus crisis now have more time to repay. Companies will be contacted with options to extend the length of the loan from six to 10 years as part of a new ‘pay-as-you-grow’ initiative. The new proposals give businesses three new options:

1. Extending the length of the loan from six years to 10;

2. Making interest-only payments for six months, then repaying the principal on a phased basis with other interest-only periods;

3. Delaying repayments entirely for up to six months.

Financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Pay VAT deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to pay VAT payments deferred between 20 March and 30 June 2020.

Report an outbreak of Coronavirus in Stockport:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak

Home workers can claim £26 tax relief for job expenses
If you’ve asked your employees to work from home, and you’ve not reimbursed them already, your employees may be entitled to claim tax relief on additional household expenses they’ve incurred, such as heating and lighting.

New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes.

If you would like to register your interest in creating one or more Kickstart Job, please complete the Kickstart Employer Enquiry Form and a member of the Council’s Kickstart Team will contact you to explain more.

Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions
Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions for employers and gateways receiving the Kickstart Scheme grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Kickstart Scheme employer resources
If you’ve been offered Kickstart Scheme funding, you can use these resources to show your support for the scheme.

Kickstart Scheme employer contacts
List of regional contacts for employers applying for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme.

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 30 or more job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 30 or more jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant: 29 or less job placements
If you are an employer looking to create 29 or less jobs placements for young people, apply for funding as part of the Kickstart Scheme.

Visit the Stockport Council website to report details of any outbreaks online.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus-in-stockport/report-a-coronavirus-outbreak

Opening times for Stockport Council Coronavirus Helpline
The helpline for vulnerable people across Stockport can now be accessed through new opening times by calling 0161 217 6046:
• Monday – Thursday from 9am to 5pm
• Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
• Saturdays from 10am to 1pm
At busy times, residents are automatically offered a call-back from one of our call handlers.

New tools and resources available from Acas:
Redundancy letter templates
Redundancy process map

Acas have also contributed to the development of a new return to work toolkit in partnership with SOM, CIPD, BITC and Mind.

Business Support in Stockport – a centre pool of information to support business owners in Stockport:
www.skbusinessrecovery.co.uk

Government – Guidance on Returning to Work safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Stockport Council’s FREE job matching website helps 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. The website also helps signpost individuals to available support services and information. www.stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk

Stockport Council – Health & Mental Well-being https://www.stockport.gov.uk/showcase/coronavirus

Government – Financial Support
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – online claims portal open

Government – Business Support:
Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool

Government – Business Support Hub:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Government – IT safety support:
Government Warnings Over Coronavirus Scams – Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Government – Financial Support:
HMRC has published guidance on how it will work out income and profits for the self-employed or those in a partnership who have lost profits due to coronavirus.

Government – Business Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Government – Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding

Government – Business Support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Gov.uk: Maintaining Educational Provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Business Growth Hub:
www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/resources/2020/03/coronavirus-business-support-webinar-series

Employment – Useful information for the Self-Employed:

News and Guidance for the self-employed:
Concerned how Coronavirus might impact you and your business?
Please get in touch with Enterprising You and you will be connected to someone who can help.

You can also access information and guidance including the latest Government updates via www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus

Can you claim back Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay in the Rebate Scheme
From Tuesday 26 May 2020, small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, will be able to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees. Health updates:

Health – updates from NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/news/

Health – Dedicated helpline to support vulnerable residents in Stockport:
Support can be accessed by calling 0161 217 6046 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

Health – Dedicated health & wellbeing services:
24/7 mental health helpline & safe haven for anyone over the age of 18 in Stockport (0800 138 7276).

Health – An Emotional Wellbeing Hub which provides information, advice, and guidance for anyone up to the age of 25 for emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns. 0161 217 6028 – 8.30am-5pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.

Community – Guidance for businesses seeking to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
How businesses can offer services, funds and volunteers to civil society during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Find out more information here.

9th December – Coronavirus News Updates

UK NEWS UPDATES: