COVID-19 Update 30th September 2020

Brexit update

Campaign on Preparing for Points-Based Immigration

The Government has launched a campaign to remind UK businesses that, from 1 January 2021, employers will need to be a licensed sponsor to hire people from outside the UK. Becoming a sponsor normally takes eight weeks and fees apply so to be able to employ people from outside the UK on 1 January, businesses need to apply to be a licensed sponsor now. As a licensed sponsor, businesses will be able to employ workers from anywhere in the world, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. The following link is to the campaign website which contains a wide range of resources for businesses to allow them to do this, including videos on the new immigration scheme and how to become a sponsor. It also allows you to sign-up to receive emails updates on the new immigration scheme.

Covid update

Local coronavirus restrictions to be introduced in North Wales (Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham)

New coronavirus restrictions will be introduced in North Wales in the local authority areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham from 6pm on Thursday 1 October.

The new restrictions will apply to everyone living in these areas, including:

• People will not be allowed to enter or leave each of these areas without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education;
• People will only be able to meet people they don’t live with outdoors for the time being. They will not be able to form, or be in, extended households;
• The restrictions will be in addition to the rules that apply everywhere in Wales

The local restrictions will not be introduced in Anglesey or Gwynedd at this stage, where cases are lower. The restrictions will be kept under regular review.

FIT and group visit guidance for Wales

Visit Wales has shared their latest guidance for tour operators and group visits. Some key points include:

• All operators and businesses (even those based outside of Wales) need to comply with Welsh Regulations for any part of their business operating in Wales.
• Anyone operating tours or visits into Wales will need to ensure that they and their clients comply with the latest* Coronavirus Regulations 2020.  
• Transport and coach operators should follow the guidance that applies to public transport operators and ensure that they have undertaken a full risk assessment.  
• The Coronavirus Regulations 2020 limit any group outdoors to 30 people in total (including organiser/driver/guide etc.) provided certain measures are in place; this can include a mix of households (not limited to the same/extended household). 
• Indoor group visits are only permissible with members of the same household or extended households – of up to 6 people (not including any children aged under 11) – provided their entry indoors is staggered so as not to create a gathering of more than one household indoors.  Operators and businesses should comply with the rule of six from an extended household regardless of whether the booking is being made for guests from outside of Wales where different rules may apply.
• Visit Wales are setting up a FAQs for the Group/Coach/Trade and in the meantime are sign-posting people to their travel trade website

Other Government updates

• The safer travel guidance for passengers guidance reflects latest rules on social contact and face coverings.
• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme video guidance has been updated with information on how to claim the second grant.
• The guidance on what you can and can’t do in the North East of England has been updated to reflect the latest updates on households.
• The working safely during coronavirus guidance has been updated for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities – keeping your customers and users of sports and gym/leisure facilities safe (section 2), social distancing (section 4) and face coverings (section 7.1).

Situation update 30 September 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.