11th May UKH update

This evening Boris Johnson outlined the sacrifices that the country had made as part of the coronavirus crisis - highlighting that closed pubs and restaurants were a visible sign of the impact on people’s lives and confirmed that the UK lockdown continues with social distancing measures remaining in place.

 

The Prime Minister announced a new slogan, “Stay alert, Control the virus, Save lives”. There is a difference in key messaging between the four nations of the UK, with the leaders of the devolved nations choosing to keep the previous “Stay at home” message.

 

He announced a roadmap to reopen society - subject to meeting the five tests that Government has set. Fear of a second lockdown still looms large in the health and economic concerns of the Government.

 

There was a clear change of emphasis with three new phases

Phase 1 would be from tomorrow with people being urged to return to work if they can - but avoiding public transport. This would be followed by more freedom for the public to go and exercise from Wednesday

Phase 2 would see the opening of more shops and primary schools - but not earlier than 1 June  

Phase 3 could see the opening up of more parts of hospitality - if it is safe to do so - but not before early July.

 

The wording on opening of hospitality supports the work of UKH - ‘subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing’

 

A full briefing will be provided tomorrow including detail on safety guidance, and an announcement is expected on Tuesday on the future nature of the furlough scheme.

 

Political Briefing

Over the weekend, the Food Secretary, George Eustice welcomed the decision by many restaurant operators to restart takeaway and delivery services and cited the work of the BRC and UKHospitality in ensuring that they can do so safely as part of cautious government efforts to restart the economy and evolve social distancing policy. Defra has shared a video on Twitter, reminding the public that restaurants, cafes, takeaways and food box businesses are still delivering food.

 

The Health Secretary has confirmed that DHSC has digitised the process for booking COVID tests and workers are now able to book a test themselves via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/ or employers can set up an employer portal by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk.

 

Other Government Updates

The Government has announced that the 2021 revaluation will no longer take place as currently scheduled – this would have seen values reassessed ahead of new bills taking effect from 2022. Instead, the Government will take forward a fundamental review of business rates over the next few months, with the key aims of reducing the overall burden on businesses, improving the current business rates system, and considering more fundamental changes in the medium-to-long term. We are pressing for the existing hospitality business rates holiday to be extended until the new regime takes effect in 2022

International Updates

The European Commission has proposed extending the current restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for another 30 days until 15 June. The current travel restriction, as well as the invitation to extend it, applies to the 'EU+ area', which includes all Schengen Member States (including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania) and the 4 Schengen Associated States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) as well as UK. For more information, please read the press release.

 

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has released a report on international tourism numbers in the first quarter of 2020. It reveals a fall of 22% in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2020 and a worldwide loss of $80bn. This correlates to the UKHospitality Tracker produced in association with CGA which showed a -21% drop in UK tourism and hospitality revenues in Q1. UNWTO forecasts an annual decline of 60-80% depending on gradual reopening in July or November.

 

The German government has outlined a plan to reopen which classifies professional exhibitions and business events from mass gatherings like festivals and concerts. The latter remain banned until 31 August but the former are among the activities that may resume as soon as states determine they are able to operate within safety guidelines.