COVID-19 Update 29th October 2020

• Nottinghamshire Lockdown Details

As previously announced, Nottinghamshire will enter Very High Alert (Tier 3) status at 00.01 on Friday 30 October. In addition to the national base-level requirements, the additional rules for this region require the closure of a wide range of tourism-related business and activities:

• betting shops
• bingo halls
• casinos
• bowling alleys
• skating rinks (other than ice skating rinks)
• amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
• play areas, including soft-play centres and areas
• games and recreation venues (such as escape rooms)
• exhibition centres and conference halls
• museums and galleries

In addition, the indoor components of the following outdoor attractions are also not permitted to open:

• animal attractions, including indoor viewing platforms at zoos, safari parks, aquariums and farms
• biomes, greenhouses, and botanical gardens
• model villages, heritage sites and homes, and castles
• circuses, fun fairs, and fairgrounds
• adventure parks, playgrounds and activities
• theme parks
• landmarks, including observation wheels or viewing platforms

Finally, while leisure and sporting faciilities are permitted to remain open:

• saunas and steam rooms must close
• the provision of group indoor exercise classes (including fitness and dance classes) is strongly advised against

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-very-high-nottinghamshire

 

• More Areas Move to High Alert Level

The Government has also announced a raft of other areas that will be moving from Medium to High Alert Status at 00.01 on Saturday 31 October. These are:

• Yorkshire and the Humber:
  • East Riding of Yorkshire
  • Kingston-Upon-Hull
  • North East Lincolnshire
  • North Lincolnshire
• West Midlands:
  • Dudley
  • Staffordshire
  • Telford and Wrekin
• East Midlands:
  • Amber Valley
  • Bolsover
  • Derbyshire Dales
  • Derby City
  • South Derbyshire
  • High Peak (whole of)
  • Charnwood
• East of England:
  • Luton
• South East:
  • Oxford City

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/local-covid-alert-level-update-areas-moving-to-high

 

• Local Restrictions Support Grants

The Government has announced that it is currently revising the eligibility criteria for the new Local Restrictions Support Grants which will be available to businesses in areas with High and Very High COVID alert level areas and that the new guidance will be published next week

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-the-coronavirus-local-restrictions-support-grant

 

• Travel Corridors

This week’s review of air travel corridors has resulted in the following countries being removed from the exemption list from 04:00 on Sunday 1st November:

Cyprus

Lithuania

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cyprus-and-lithuania-removed-from-the-travel-corridor-list-of-exempt-countries

 

• Deadline for Loan Schemes

The guidance for the various loan schemes – Bounce Back Loans, CBIL and CLBILS – has been updated to reflect the earlier announcement that applications for loans under these schemes will now close on 30^th November 2020

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounce-back-loan

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme

 

• HMRC Seminar on SEISS Extension

HMRC are now running seminars on extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension which will cover:

• how to claim the second grant in the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme Grant Extension
• who is eligible
• the amount you can claim
• what other support is available

You can register for these seminars on the following link.

https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6004260784831494413?source=August-HMRC-GOV

 

• Improvements to NHS Covid App

The Government has announced that it has made a number of improvements to the NHS Covid app to increase its accuracy in identifying close contacts and to remove the annoying ghost notifications

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-covid-19-app-updates-across-england-and-wales

 

• Kickstart Scheme

The government has published guidance on how to choose a Kickstart Scheme gateway organisation if you want to employ less than 30 staff under the initiative and a publication with tips on how to make a successful application.

Tips for making a successful application

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930565/tips-making-successful-kickstart-scheme-application.pdf

Guidance on using a Kickstart gateway

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/guidance-on-choosing-a-kickstart-gateway

 

• Wales Lockdown Business Fund Opens

Wales’ Lockdown Business Fund has opened for applications. The purpose of the fund is to support businesses with cash flow support to help them survive the economic consequences of the restrictions put in place. There are two grants:

• • Lockdown Non Domestic Rate Grant
  • Lockdown Discretionary Grant

To receive either of these grants, businesses will need to register and or make an application for the discretionary element through their local authority/

Applications will close at 5pm on 20 November 2020 or when the fund is fully committed = meaning that applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/lockdown-business-fund