Uk Hospitality update

The Government published its more detailed recovery strategy document: Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy today, providing more detail on the PM’s speech last night on the phased approach to reopening over the next 2-3 months. Please note this document refers to ENGLAND ONLY.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy

The Prime Minister’s speech in the House of Commons this afternoon reiterated the key points from his speech yesterday evening, and the roadmap document published earlier today (see below). As part of this he confirmed that these changes were not a green light for people to be travelling to another home for a holiday or to a second home. During the Q+A Johnson said that there will be further information about the next stages of the furlough scheme from the Chancellor later this week, and in particular specific support for hospitality.

 

Government Update

The government, in consultation with industry and unions, has produced guidance for workplaces currently allowed to open and those seeking to reopen in certain sectors between now and 1 June to do so safely. The hospitality guide only relates to accommodation provided for key workers and takeaway and delivery food – further work will be done with operators and trade representatives on future reopening plans. The 8 guides cover a variety of work environments and are available here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

New stay alert and safe social distancing guidance has been published. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

The Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak have been updated and take effect on Wednesday 13 May.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do?utm_source=b00038e2-abee-41f1-9806-8b741af23f0e&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

New guidance on staying safe outside your home has been published. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home?utm_source=d6d3c4c2-0234-4cf4-8fc0-eea4d1fcaf79&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

The Government has issued new guidance on the use of face coverings are more people return to work. The advice now is for a face covering to be worn in an enclosed space where social distancing is not always possible and where they will come into close contact with a large number of strangers eg public transport and shops. These can be homemade. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home#face-coverings

 

Summary of UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

The Government’s new plan has the twin objective of saving lives and restoring livelihoods and is premised on nudging consumer behaviour and gradually increasing economic activity.

The plan and the timeline is conditional; if the evidence shows sufficient progress is not being made in controlling the virus then the lifting of restrictions may have to be delayed and some restrictions may be reintroduced if the infection rate rises later this year. This will be done in as limited and targeted a way as possible eg geographic areas or limited outlets

Step 1 – 13 May: limited return to work for people who cannot work from home and who work for businesses not subject to mandated closure ie all of hospitality aside from hotels housing key workers and take away/delivery; avoid public transport where possible; increased personal freedoms re exercise and time outdoors but no meeting up with more than 1 person from outside your household; vulnerable people to remain shielded

Step Two – No Earlier than 1 June: phased return to school for early years and year 10-12 pupils; non essential and non food retail to reopen; phased reopening of other businesses not covered by legal closure (details tbc) and with reopening subject to businesses being able to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines; sporting and cultural events to take place behind closed doors; reopening of more public transport; phased increase in family contact with SAGE being asked to review evidence for allowing household bubbles.

Step Three – No Earlier than 4 July: some of the remaining businesses and premises which have been required to close to be allowed to reopen subject to social distancing and COVID-19 Secure guidelines being met. Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Government ambition is to open as many businesses as possible at this point and will establish a series of taskforces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which this can be achieved.

 

Devolved Assemblies

Scotland: the First Minister has confirmed that the rate of transmission – the R number – is still too high for any changes to be made in Scotland. The once a day limit on exercise will be removed, but unlike in England, the requirement is explicit to exercise near your home and not to travel to exercise and it also does not cover a loosening of the outdoor leisure activities to include picnics and sunbathing; the official advice remains to stay at home.

The Scottish Government will also consider over the coming days whether garden centres can re-open and whether additional outdoor work can safely resume.

Wales: the First Minister announced on 8 May that the lock down in Wales will continue and be reviewed in 3 weeks. the official advice remains to stay at home and if you do need to leave home for work, exercise or shopping, to stay local. There are some relaxations taking effect 11 May: people can exercise more than once a day but should stay local; libraries and recycling centres and garden centres to reopen. 

Northern Ireland: the Executive confirmed that they would be diverging from the UK Government on the change in messaging and would be retaining the current advice to stay at home. A five stage recovery plan is expected to be presented to the assembly on Tuesday for debate.

 

International Travel

As the level of infection in the UK reduces, the Government will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border. These include a requirement for all international arrivals to provide contact and accommodation information and a recommendation that they download and use the NHS contact tracing app.

The Government will require all international arrivals not on a specified exempt list to self-isolate in their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK.

All journeys within the Common Travel Area will also be exempt from these measures. These international travel measures will not come into force on 13 May but will be introduced as soon as possible. Further details, and guidance, will be set out shortly, and the measures and list of exemptions will be kept under regular review.

 

Situation update 11 May 2020

To see the number of cases of COVID-19 in England and the UK visit the UK COVID-19 dashboard - https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

To see the number of cases globally see the World Health Organisation dashboard - https://covid19.who.int/