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Covid-19 update 01.05.2020

DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE

 

Test, Track and Trace is the key to unlocking COVID-19 lockdown

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced a mix of COVID-19 testing and tracking its progress through an app alongside contact tracing would form a critical element of the government’s plan to ease lockdown restrictions.

Speaking at today’s Downing Street press conference, Mr Hancock said the test, track and trace approach would help target lockdown measures to where they are needed “with much more precision”.

He added that by mid-May 18,000 contract tracers would be in place and the numbers would be scaled up if required. They will be supported by new tech through the COVID-19 app, which will inform where the virus is infecting the population and control lockdown measures.

“Our goal must be freedom, not just freedom from the virus, but social and economic freedom so every citizen has the right to do as he pleases,” Mr Hancock said.

“We understand that we have infringed the liberty of all for the safety of all. Test, track and trace will allow us all to participate in the restoration of liberty for us all.”

 

£6.1m funding boost to support BIDs and help high streets and town centres through pandemic

Hundreds of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across England will share £6.1million of funding to spend on projects that will help their local economies through the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP confirmed today (1 May).

Many BIDs are now playing a crucial role during these challenging economic times, offering hands-on support to those businesses affected, including advice services, increased security to protect businesses that have closed, and providing key intelligence to local and central government on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their local economies.

High Streets Minister Simon Clarke said: “BIDs are uniquely placed and have a proven track record of success in supporting local businesses, empowering communities, championing our town centres and driving forward the renewal of our high streets.

“It’s only right that during these unprecedented times we give them all the necessary support they need to continue operating, so that they can carry on their vital work now and crucially when we move into the recovery phase from the current crisis.”

 

Testing available for council workers

On the day the government announced it had beaten its 100,000 a day testing target, the Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick has written to all councils in England thanking them for their efforts in the battle against coronavirus and reminding them of their eligibility for testing.

Matt Hancock announced during today’s press conference that 122,347 tests were carried out yesterday, the last day of April.

With substantially increased testing capacity, the government has extended testing to a wider group of essential workers and members of their households.

This means that council workers with symptoms of coronavirus are now able to be tested for the virus, and can return to work if the results are negative.

 

Those eligible in the local government sector include:

  • Social care staff such as social and care workers – with social care workers in care homes able to get tested with or without symptoms
  • Those delivering essential public services, such as benefits payments
  • Those working with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, homeless people and rough sleepers

Mr Jenrick said: “The unsung heroes in local government are supporting communities across the country during the pandemic, from helping vulnerable people to ensuring our bins are collected. We’ve expanded the national testing programme to prioritise essential workers such as council staff who are keeping the country going.”

Booking the test has been made easier through a new online system.

 

NEW INFORMATION AND UPDATES

 

Ask a question at a coronavirus press conference

Find out how you can ask the government a question at the daily coronavirus press conference here.

Seasonal work on farms: guidance for workers
The type of seasonal work you can do on farms, who can apply, and where you can find work. Find out more here.

Changes to identity verification and signing deeds

The government is making it easier to verify a person’s identity and sign deeds for land registration purposes.

Guidance on access to green spaces
Updated guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the energy sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to the UK’s energy sector.

Destroying spoilt beer, cider, wine or made-wine during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about temporary changes to the destruction of spoilt beer, cider, wine or made-wine if you’re a brewer, cider producer, wine maker or publican. Amended temporary measures to include cider, wine or made-wine in addition to beer. This includes advice to cider producers and wine and made-wine makers in addition to brewers and publicans.

 

HMRC WEBINARS: ONLINE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

Managing your business during coronavirus: reporting, regulations and tax
Register to join this online webinar at 11am on Thursday 7 May to find out more about managing your business during coronavirus with guidance on reporting, regulations and tax. The webinar will cover:

  • Right to work checks
  • Filing reports and accounts
  • Tax – Time to Pay scheme

You will have the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

Additional webinars to support your business
Government departments are hosting a series of free webinars to help businesses understand the support available including:

 

Keep up to date with all the latest available webinars here.

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