COVID-19 Update 3rd November 2020
- Lockdown Regulations
Here is a link to the Lockdown regulations that have just been published and is going before parliament tomorrow. The exemptions for travel include the catchalls of:
- for the purposes of work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not reasonably possible for P to work, or to provide those services, from home;
(b) for the purposes of education or training;
Also, the business required to be closed includes to following:
Indoor attractions at visitor attractions such as—
(a) botanical or other gardens, biomes or greenhouses;
(b) stately or historic homes, castles or other heritage sites;
(c) landmarks, including observation wheels or viewing platforms;
(d) sculpture parks.
So outdoor areas at these attractions can remain open
If you have any questions or queries in regard to the Regulations, please let me know
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1200/pdfs/uksi_20201200_en.pdf
- Advice on “Workers”
This is superseded by the above but at the Tourism Industry Council meeting today we received advice from officials on the issue of what constituted work related travel. Please remember that this just the understanding of the DCMS officials at the moment and a definitive answer will only be available when the regulations are voted on and the official guidance is published tomorrow.
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- On the question of who can travel and stay in accommodation for work purposes, it seems that there will be no restrictions on what constitutes work travel this time ( i.e. work related travel is not limited to specified key workers).
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- On the issue of who is responsible for verifying whether someone is travelling for work purposes, officials expect the existing approach to continue – accommodation providers should take reasonable steps to encourage guests to adhere to the rules (e.g. ensuring guests are reminded of restrictions when booking/on arrival) but enforcement remains with police & Local Authorities, not with businesses.
- Guidance on Support for the Self Employed (and Employed)
The Government has updated the guidance to self-employed people who are getting little or no work as a result of Coronavirus restrictions. The updated guidance on:
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- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Test and Trace Support Payment
There has also been a similar guidance update for those that are employed and cannot work due to coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-what-to-do-if-youre-employed-and-cannot-work
- Future Fund Application Date Extended
The Future Fund is a scheme that will issue convertible loans between £125,000 to £5 million to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
The Fund was created to support startups and scaleups that find that they are ineligible for other loans schemes like the CBILS and Bounce Back loans. The fund was initially open for applications until 30 September 2020 but this has now been extended to 31 January 2021
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund
As mentioned yesterday, the Government has announced that the other loan schemes will also remain open until 31 January 2021. The Links to the three schemes are:
Bounce Back Loans
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounce-back-loan
CBILS
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme
CLBILS
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-large-business-interruption-loan-scheme
- SEISS Guidance Updated
HMRC’s guidance on the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant has been updated in line with the announcement that the scheme has been extended and will now operate at the 80% leve3l
- Remembrance Sunday Guidance
The Government has published guidance on how Remembrance Sunday commemorations can take place in a Covid Safe manner and in accordance with the National Lock down rules
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