Corona Virus update

 

UK Medical Situation

As of 6pm 6 March 2020, 20,338 people have been tested in the UK, of which 20,175 were confirmed negative (99.1% - down from 99.7% at the start of the week).

Overnight, a 43 further people in England have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in England to 147. There are 11 confirmed cases in Scotland, 2 in Wales, and 3 in Northern Ireland. 

15 cases have been discharged following two consecutive negative test results. 1 patient has died.

It remains the case that none of the people testing positive in the UK are unrelated to travel to affected global regions – to date there remains no 3rd generation transition.

 

Global situation

Globally there has been 98,036 cases – up 3,000 overnight - with 3,382 fatalities – a further 100 overnight.

Mainland China, the outbreak peaked and plateaued 23 Jan-13 Feb, fatalities and cases have been declining

The number of fatalities outside mainland China have increased over the last 24 hours from 188 to 337 -

Over the last 24 hours the number of fatalities has almost doubled in Italy (148) and Iran (107) France (6) and Australia (2). Fatalities have increased from 2 to 10 in USA and the first fatalities have emerged in Switzerland and Iraq. Fatalities have slowed in Korea (42). There have been no more fatalities in Japan (6), cases from Diamond Princess Cruise ship (6), Hong Kong (2), Taiwan (1), Philippines (1), Thailand (1).

There is a very useful website with real time information about the spread and characteristics of Coronavirus including testing numbers by country, more detail on fatality rates symptoms and incubation period.

 

UK Government Plan

This week the Government set out the options for consideration by the Government should the current UK situation move from containment – which remains the status today despite the increase in cases – to management of the disease. This includes reserving powers to intervene to minimise socio economic impact and support UK businesses – particularly in tourism and hospitality – which may be affected. You can Read the full coronavirus action plan on gov.uk here. There may be confirmation of business support in next week’s Budget.

We are likely to move from containment to “established” disease in 1-2 weeks and it is likely that the disease will take 6 weeks to reach its peak with potentially 80% of people affected, the majority with mild cold/flu symptoms; 

At 6.15pm on 5 March 2020,COVID-19 was added to the list of notifiable diseases and SARS-COV-2 to the list of notifiable causative agents -this may help some businesses claim under business interruption insurance, but you will need to check carefully your wording and T&Cs. Insurance may also not cover business slow down due to increased home working and reduced travel into city centres. Note, the WHO has not classified the disease as a pandemic – this may be key for some insurance policies.

Regulations will also be laid to allow Statutory Sick Pay to be paid from day 1 in the event of an employee being required to self isolate or becoming ill. We have worked with the CBI and other business groups to extend sick pay rights further to address concerns in this area and support employers. You can read more here  

 

Business Impact 

The Government has reiterated that there is no need to cancel business travel, meetings or events – despite this, many companies are already instigating their own policies in this area.

We are receiving increasing information about a significant number of multinational companies instigating non essential travel bans, work from home and restrictions on meetings to fewer than 20 people. It is becoming clear that footfall is dramatically down in central London and other metropolitan areas as a result, on top of the effect of fewer foreign visitors. We are seeking to establish a weekly reporting mechanism to provide impact assessments to Government on hotel bookings, restaurant and pub sales and footfall. 

We are working with other tourism trade bodies to press for business support in the Budget. Please complete this immediate snapshot survey to help inform our submission to governmenthttps://www.research.net/r/VBCOVID19

 

Travel Advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice for travellers returning from Italy:

For all of Italy(outside of the lockdown areas) – if you have travelled to the UK in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if your symptoms are mild you must self-isolate. You are advised to Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next and not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

For the lockdown areas in northern Italy- to self-isolate if you’ve travelled to the UK in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated their travel advice to South Korea advising against all travel to Daegu and Cheongdo. The FCO is not advising against travel to any other country/territory as a result of coronavirus risks

 

Other travel measures, advice and updates:

Virgin Atlantic has introduced a no change fee for new bookings in 2020 for travel up until 30 September 2020 .

British Airways has removed the change fee on all new bookings made from 3 March to Monday 16 March 2020.

The Israeli Government has updated their travel restrictions all travellers who are not Israeli citizens

Israel has forbidden all international conferences and all large events/mass gatherings of more than 5,000 people