CORONAVIRUS NEWS UPDATES
LATEST
For the latest daily updates, we advise you bookmark the Government's main Coronavirus advice page and visit it regularly:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
For information on:
- Protecting yourself and others from coronavirus
- Testing for coronavirus
- Health and wellbeing
- Employment, financial support and money
- Working safely
- Businesses and self-employed people
- School openings, education and childcare
- Housing and accommodation
- Driving and transport in the UK
- International travel and immigration
- Volunteering and offering help
- Healthcare workers, carers and care settings
- Support if someone dies
NEWS ARCHIVE
20th April 2020
Government Job Retention Scheme: Claim for wages costs portal is now open
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
19th April 2020
Government responds to TheSunday Times Insight Article
https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/19/response-to-sunday-times-insight-article/
18th April 2020
Chancellor extends the Job Retention (Furlough) Scheme until end of June
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-to-end-of-june
17th April 2020
Updated guidance on shielding the most vulnerable
16th April 2020
Foreign Secretary's latest statement on Coronavirus and social distancing
14th April 2020
#YouAreNotAlone Additional support for victims of domestic abuse is announced
9th April 2020
Information for households who suspect they have a COVID case
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
8th April 2020
Information for those providing unpaid care
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-care
7th April 2020
Updated guidance for employers and employees
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
3rd April 2020
Latest guidance for businesses during Coronavirus
26th March 2020
Government announces financial support for the self-employed:
23rd March 2020
BRITAIN IS NOW IN LOCKDOWN: https://www.chrisloder.co.uk/lockdown
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation tonight (23rd March 2020) and announced the biggest crackdown on freedom of movement since the end of the Second World War; in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect our NHS from being overwhelmed. Britain is now in lockdown.
22nd March 2020
Government announces plans to shield 1.5 million of the most vulnerable in our communities from COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR1pLtEptNhZ_ApsFMsajKNj-Agp-PEcnT6Q7YCcXkhjWqxkVnGS_tROcmg
20th March 2020
It's on all of us: Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces bold new measures to save jobs and support the economy: https://www.chrisloder.co.uk/coronavirus-measures
Read the Chancellor's speech in full
19th March 2020
Guidance on social distance - all you need to know: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
Guidance on isolation - staying at home: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
19th March 2020
Information for parents and carers about the closure of schools and other educational settings following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will be updated as we have further information available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
18th March 2020
After schools shut their gates on Friday afternoon, they will remain closed until further notice except for children of key workers and vulnerable children, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-colleges-and-early-years-settings-to-close
18th March 2020
See the guidance regarding free school meals during schools shutdown https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools
17th March 2020
What the Coronavirus Bill will do: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-bill-what-it-will-do/what-the-coronavirus-bill-will-do
17th March 2020
The Chancellor announces further support in economic response to coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-of-the-exchequer-rishi-sunak-on-covid19-response
17th March 2020
The CofE suspends all public services (excluding 'scaled back' weddings and funerals), though churches stay open where possible for prayer: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/archbishops-call-church-england-become-radically-different-public-worship
16th March 2020
Covid-19 Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
15th March 2020
The coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation. It calls for dramatic action, at home and abroad, of the kind not normally seen in peacetime. Heath Secretary, Matt Hancock's Sunday Telegraph Op-Ed:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/health-secretary-matt-hancocks-sunday-telegraph-op-ed
13th March 2020
Stay at home guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus infection: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
12th March 2020
The Government has announced that we are moving out of the contain phase and into delay, in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The UK Chief Medical Officers have now raised the risk to the UK from moderate to high.
Read the full announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-government-announces-moving-out-of-contain-phase-and-into-delay
12th March 2020
Following a meeting of COBR, the Prime Minister Boris Johnston made a statement on Coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-12-march-2020
11th March 2020
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £30bn package to boost the economy and get the country through the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51835306
11th March 2020
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made the assessment that COVID-19 can now be characterized as a pandemic: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020
9th March 2020
Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has launched a new taskforce to strengthen local plans to help tackle the outbreak of Coronavirus.
The taskforce will bring together senior experts from across key sectors – including resilience, local government, public health and adult social care fields – who will assess Local Resilience Forum (LRF) plans and provide support and advice to ensure they are robust.
Taskforce to bolster local responses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/taskforce-to-bolster-local-response-to-coronavirus
8th March 2020
Latest Government update: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
4th March 2020
Government has released its lastest public information campaign on Coronavirus. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-information-campaign-focuses-on-handwashing
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
The UK is a world-leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks and I have every confidence in our nation’s ability to respond to the threat of COVID-19.
We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that’s what this expanded campaign is all about – making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe. Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do.
Public safety remains our top priority. The government and the NHS are working 24/7 to fight this virus. It’s imperative that everyone follows clinical advice by contacting NHS 111, and not going to A&E if you develop symptoms.
4th March 2020
Sick pay from day one:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sick-pay-from-day-one-for-those-affected-by-coronavirus
3rd March 2020
Government has released its Coronavirus Action Plan
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan