COVID-19 Update 13th August 2020

VisitBritain Consumer Sentiment Tracker (week 12)

Attached is the latest draft report of VisitBritain’s UK COVID-19 Consumer Tracker for week 12, based on fieldwork from 3 – 7 August. Some key findings from this week:

• A continuation of negative publicity surrounding local lockdowns and retraction of some travel corridor exemptions from quarantine continue to impact on results. 51% of UK adults believe the worst is still to come – a significant increase on week 11 and the highest level since the survey began. Only 12% think ‘the worst has past’ – the lowest proportion recorded so far.
• Only 3% are predicting a return to normality by September, and 15% predict normality by the end of the year – a significant decline on the 22% reported in week 11.
• Confidence in the ability to take a domestic trip between Oct – Dec has declined to 38%. The main concern cited is around catching COVID-19 (52%), followed by “restrictions on travel by government” and “it’s not responsible to travel”.
• More positively, 57% of Summer Intenders have already planned their trip and 49% have committed to booking. The broader challenge is encouraging more bookings from Winter Intenders (trips between Oct 2020 – Mar 2021) which currently stands at 20%, although the proportion has increased this week.
• Of the reassurances people are seeking in order to feel comfortable staying with an accommodation provider, measures to reduce contamination (e.g. hand sanitisers and enhanced cleaning regimes) are as important as booking incentives such as ‘free cancellation’ (60%) and measures designed to encourage social distancing. A government or industry certification mark is cited by 49%.

Reducing Transmissions

Public Health England has published a new short guidance note for the public on reducing transmissions and rounding up resources to find more information.

Face Covering Exemptions Toolkit

Also attached is a copy of the updated Face Coverings Exemptions Toolkit. Exemptions from the mandatory use of face coverings in public indoor areas include:

• young children under the age of 11
• not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering due to a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause a person severe distress
• travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate

Economic Impact of COVID-19

The latest ONS data has been released covering the period 13 July – 26 July 2020. Key findings include:

• 42% of businesses in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector reported that operating costs exceeded turnover
• 16% of food and accommodation businesses are still not open (and 33% of the arts, entertainment and recreation sector
• 33% of food and accommodation businesses report that business is down by over 50%
• Only 14% of food and accommodation businesses report that turnover has not been impacted or has increased, compared to 40% across UK industry as a whole

Love Culture Week

As part of the Government’s ongoing Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, next week will be Love Culture Week which will highlight museums, galleries, heritage sites, libraries, cinemas and cultural organisations. Part of this week includes #ThrowbackThursday and businesses are encouraged to use the hashtag to post pictures from UK holidays and day trips from the past. More information and a toolkit is available here.

Other Government Updates

• An online calculator for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now available to help employers determine how much to pay furloughed employees, how much to claim for employer NICs and pension schemes and how much to claim back for claim periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.
• A webinar about claiming a second grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is now available.

Situation Update 13 August 2020

• To see the number of cases of COVID-19 in England and the UK visit the UK COVID-19 dashboard.
• To see the number of cases globally see the World Health Organisation dashboard.

Click here to view COVID-19 Consumer Weekly Tracker Week 12.

Click here to view Covid-19 Face Coverings Exemptions Toolkit (England).