TIER: Situation update: correct as of 17.00, 25 March 2020

TIER UPDATE - The World Health Organisation has a global map that reports daily on the global cases.  

Summary of daily Government briefing - The Prime Minister did not announce any further measures, instead he gave giving a short update followed by Q&A.

• The Prime Minister reiterated the need to delay the spread of the disease in order to limit pressure on the NHS.
• He thanked the NHS, and those that have been following the guidelines.
• He provided an update on the NHS Volunteer Appeal, 405,000 have responded so far. These people will be transporting medicine, transporting patients from hospital, and making calls to check on vulnerable people at home.
• The PM confirmed that the Chancellor will be making announcements on Self-Employed measures 26/03/2020.
• Questioned on testing, Chris Whitty confirmed that the anti-gen test system is working well in hospitals. Testing NHS and Critical Workers who are self-isolating is the next priority, although there is a global demand for these tests and therefore a shortage. After that the next stage would be testing people more widely with mild systems. Finally, the anti-body test is being evaluated this week but is not quite available yet.

 
Latest Government advice and links

• There has been further guidance issued on businesses and premises to close. Guidance has been added for work carried out in people’s homes and additional details to the list of businesses and premises that must remain closed.
• From 25 March businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts with Companies House to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impact of COVID-19.
  • As part of the agreed measures, companies will still have to apply for the 3-month extension to be granted, those citing issues around COVID-19 will be automatically and immediately granted an extension. Applications can be made through a fast-tracked online system which will take just 15 minutes to complete.
• Due to some elements of business support being devolved, the measures you can access may differ if your business is in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Follow the links for the latest Government guidance for businesses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• The Home Office has published new guidance on immigration provisions for individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus (COVID-19). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Home Office is providing visa extensions for those affected by coronavirus. Nobody will be penalised for circumstances outside of their control. Also attached to the email are two fact sheets from UKVI with further details.
  • The Coronavirus Immigration Helpline remains open. Customers are asked to check gov.uk first as that is the central source of information, but if individuals remain concerned about their immigration status they can contact the helpline at: [email protected]

• The UK Government has today launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19):update on guidance on business support grant funding. The update details hereditaments that were not eligible for percentage SBRR relief (including those eligible for the Small Business Rate Multiplier) are excluded.
• The Business rates: expanded retail discount guidance has been updated to cover certain properties previously excluded from the relief, but that have been forced to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions, will now be eligible for the relief.
• A Joint letter to the UK banks from HM Treasury, the Bank of England, and the FCA:  A letter from the Chancellor, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the CEO of the FCA to the CEOs of the UK Banks on the subject of COVID-19 and bank lending.

Other travel measures, advice and updates:

• MOT update:  The UK Government has announced that vehicle owners will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities. All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require a MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March 2020. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work. Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles.

• Transport for London (TfL): TfL announced today that it is taking targeted measures to control the flow of passengers at the stations that remain the busiest. This includes reducing the flow at the gate lines with the support of the 500 British Transport Police who are now deployed across the rail network, opening different routes to platforms and turning off down escalators to slow the flow of people to platforms.

 
COVID-19 tourism industry impact survey VisitBritain/VisitEngland has modified and reopened their tracker survey, they will be conducting it regularly to monitor the impact on all aspects of the UK tourism industry.  The results will provide impact data to brief Ministers, the Government and COBR to help support the industry through these challenging times.
​Please circulate the survey to your members. The survey will close 17.00 Monday 30 March.