Covid-19 update 22.05.2020

DAILY BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE    The Mayor of London and the Communities Secretary have joined forces to move the capital out of lockdown into the next phase.

The London Transition Board, co-chaired by Sadiq Khan and Robert Jenrick, will draw on a wide range of London expertise to restart the capital, while a new London Recovery Board will oversee the wider economic and social long-term recovery.

The programme of work being put in place will be the biggest since the end of the Second World War and will include opportunities for Londoners to be involved in setting priorities and shaping London’s recovery and renewal.

The board will be made up of senior leaders from across the city and provide strategic direction for the next phase of response and restart, focusing on the key issues which London will face over the coming months, including:

  • infection control
  • phasing in and out of varying levels of lockdown
  • recovery of public services, such as transport

 

Mr Jenrick said: “I want to thank all of those across London who have worked in partnership with the government since the start of the pandemic to protect Londoners and keep essential services running. Now we are past the peak it is right that we focus on safely reopening the capital, taking the necessary steps to control the virus.

“Through this new Transition Board, we will carefully build on the extensive planning already underway to get life and business in London – the most dynamic capital city in the world – safely back on track.”

Mr Khan said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant public health crisis in living memory. We are not being complacent about the continued threat from coronavirus, but the economic, health and social challenges arising from both the virus itself and from the lockdown are far-reaching, and London’s recovery will be a long and complex road that will take many months, if not years.

“As Mayor, I am committed to securing a better future for Londoners. The city’s recovery from COVID-19 must ensure that nobody is left behind, and no one organisation or sector can tackle these challenges alone.

“The measures announced today plan to bring together local government, civil and civic society, faith organisations, business, unions and Londoners themselves to reshape London as a city that remains open, safe and attractive for Londoners, visitors and investors.”

 

Exemptions for critical workers in UK’s new COVID-19 quarantine rules

New measures at the UK borders to guard against a second wave of coronavirus infections have been announced by the Home Secretary today. They include 14 days’ self-isolation for anyone entering the UK, bar a short list of exemptions. The arrangements are due to come into effect on 8 June.

Speaking at today’s Downing Street press conference, Home Secretary Priti Patel said a full list of the exemptions will be published on GOV.UK. They will include:

• road haulage and freight workers, to ensure the supply of goods is not impacted

• medical professionals who are travelling to help with the fight against coronavirus

• anyone moving from within the Common Travel Area, covering Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

• seasonal Agricultural Workers who will self-isolate on the property where they are working

 

The Home Office says it has been working closely with industry partners ahead of announcing the changes. They will be subject to review every three weeks, to ensure they are in line with the latest scientific evidence and remain effective and necessary.

The Home Secretary added the government will continue to look at further options including ‘air bridges’ – agreements between countries who both have low transmission rates to recognise each other’s departure screening measures for passengers and removing the need for quarantine.

But she said that whatever happens must be done in a “practical” way and the UK should be “leading the world” in reopening aviation.

The Home Secretary said: “As the world begins to emerge from what we hope is the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, we must look to the future and protect the British public by reducing the risk of cases crossing our border.

“We are introducing these new measures now to keep the transmission rate down and prevent a devastating second wave.

“I fully expect the majority of people will do the right thing and abide by these measures. But we will take enforcement action against the minority of people who endanger the safety of others.”

 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES AND GUIDANCE

 

£20m of BEIS funding to support a new clean technology early stage investment fund
Clean Growth Fund – update

Coronavirus support from Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations
Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations are providing coronavirus related support for specific sectors. Details added for trade associations GAMBICA and BEAMA.

Competition law exclusion orders relating to coronavirus
register of agreements relating to exclusion orders made by powers under paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to The Competition Act 1998.

£300m additional funding for local authorities to support new test and trace service
Local authorities will be central to supporting the new test and trace service in England, with the government providing a new funding package of £300million.

Charities encouraged to bid for £15m Tampon Tax Fund
Organisations supporting women and girls are today invited to apply for a share of £15m from the Tampon Tax Fund. The Tampon Tax Fund comes entirely from VAT receipts on women’s sanitary products.

Help with mortgages to continue for homeowners affected by coronavirus
Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to coronavirus will be able to extend their mortgage payment holiday for a further three months, or start making reduced payments, in proposals published today.

Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak have been updated.

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