UKHospitality COVID-19 daily update 9 March 2020

With the emergence of the Coronavirus we are providing our members tailored updates through this time of uncertainty to ensure that they are kept informed with the latest information. As we champion the hospitality industry, and the severity of the situation, we are extending our updates to non-members. We want to ensure that all hospitality businesses are kept up to date and informed as the outbreak continues. Access to practical one on one guidance, webinars and tailored advice on other subjects will remain restricted to members only.

If you would like to learn more about how we support the hospitality sector contact a member of our team membership@ukhospitality.org.uk

UKHospitality

 

Situation update: correct as of 17.00, 9 March 2020

Our CEO today met with Chancellor and No 10 advisers to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and press for measures to alleviate the stress facing hospitality businesses 

UK Update

· 24,960 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the UK, of which 24,641 were confirmed negative (98.7% - a marked rise in positive tests since last week) and 319 were confirmed as positive. Five patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

· The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a press release outlining the Government’s proposed measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

At a press conference following the COBRA meeting, the PM reiterated that the Uk remained in containment mode but was likely to shift to management and delay within the next week. Within 10-14 days, the UK will move to a situation where “everybody who has even minor respiratory tract infections or fever should be self isolating for 7 days afterwards”

The Chief Medical Officer reconfirmed that there is no need to avoid pubs, restaurants or events but may advise the elderly to do so later

COBRA will meet on Wednesday to enact new measures and set out business support and interventions. 

Global Update

· FCO has updated its travel advice for any travellers from Italy.

o Anyone who has returned from the Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Pimento and Vento regions on or after 19 February 2020 should self-isolate and use the 111 online service for further advice, even if you exhibit no symptoms

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

 

Other travel measures, advice and updates:

 

· Cruise Lines International Association has announced the adoption of additional enhanced screening measures including temperature screening

· Lufthansa has advised that shortand medium-haul flights may be reduced by up to 25%. The company is allowing customers who have tickets purchased before 5 March with a travel date of up to 30 April to rebook a date up to 31 December 2020 at no extra cost

· The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends travellers, particularly those with underlying health issues to defer all cruise ship travel worldwide and avoid other situations that would put them at risk such as avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips.

· The Royal College of Physicians has postponed its annual medical conference, due to be held in Birmingham in April, until January 2021    

· The Arabian Travel Market 2020 has been postponed until 28 June

· Loganair has taken up 16 routes formerly flown by Flybe. They will be launching from 16 March

· Control and isolation measures were imposed by the Italian authorities on 8 March: Lombardy region (which includes the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Como) and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venice (in Veneto).

· Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte has announced that all events, public and private, will be suspended; and cinemas, theatres, concert halls, libraries, and museums will be closed. Restaurants and bars remain open with reduced seating and 6am-6pm curfews.

· The French Government has banned meetings of more than 1000 people

· Louvre Museum has restricted entry to only those visitors with pre-booked e-tickets or those who qualify for free entry 

· The Government of Saudi Arabia has announced temporary suspension of travel for its citizens to United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, the Republic of Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, South Korea, Egypt, Italy, and Iraq. Entry for travels from these areas is also suspended. All air and sea flights are cancelled at this time

· The Grand Princess will dock at the Port of Oakland and passengers who do not require acute medical treatment will be transported to federally run isolation areas. The crew will remain on-board under quarantine

· The IGLTA annual global convention, due to be held in Milan 6-9 May 2020 has been postponed

· The Australian Grand Prix will go ahead in March as a public event but The Bahrain International Circuit have announced the Bahrain leg of the Grand Prix will be participants only

· The China Britain business council have releasedresults of a survey they conducted with UK companiesin the import and export sectors

 

We are continuing to chase the UK Government advice for tourism businesses and will share as soon as it is available.

 

You can also visit our website where we continue to share advice for businesses and links to key updates and information