It is just over a year that the first known official case of Covid-19 arrived in the UK. Sometime in the future there will be time to reflect on the government’s response but now is not that time.
Now is the time to stay safe and be patient and hope that new vaccines such as Novavax, Janssen and others being pursued can be produced and rolled out quickly.
The UK continues to give first doses of the vaccine to the most vulnerable and it is hoped that by the end of this month 15 million plus people will have some level of protection. That would put the Government on track for achieving its aim of offering a first dose vaccine to everyone over 70, the extremely clinically vulnerable and frontline health and care workers. We do not see this ending the lockdown until late spring because there is still a significant burden on the NHS. Indeed, tighter controls for the short term are happening and last week we saw the Government implement tougher controls to minimise travel across international borders.
The Government has announced further action for outbound and inbound passengers to minimise travel across borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
The measures announced include:
For those wishing to travel out of the UK
- declaring reason for travel: anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine - the reason for travel will be checked.
- increased police enforcement: there will be an increased police presence at ports and airports, fining those in breach of the stay-at-home regulations - anyone without valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine.
- reviewing travel exemptions: the list of travel exemptions will be reviewed so that only the most important and exceptional reasons are included.
- managed isolation in hotels: this will be for those arriving from countries where they have imposed international travel bans and who cannot be refused entry - they will be required to isolate for 10 days without exception and more details will be provided in due course.
- police checks - police are carrying out more physical checks at addresses to make sure people are self-isolating.
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months.
- associated employer National Insurance contributions.
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
- £300 per job placement to cover admin costs.
- £1,500 per job placement for employers.
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months.
- associated employer National Insurance contributions.
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
- you or anyone living with you.
- an individual associated with your business or anyone living with them.
- an employee
- a director, officer or employee of that company
- a partner, officer or employee of that partnership
- a member or employee of a limited liability partnership
- a settlor, trustee or beneficiary of a trust
- employer Government Gateway ID and password.
- employer PAYE reference number.
- business name.
- contact details.
- written details of why you think publication could lead to the threat of violence or intimidation.
- a police incident number if you’ve already been threatened or attacked.
- photos of a previous threat or attack.
- evidence of possible disruption or targeting.
- any other material which can support your request.
- correct it in your next claim (your new claim will be reduced, and you will need to keep a record of the adjustment for 6 years)
- get a payment reference number and pay HMRC back within 30 days (only if you are not making another claim)
- be currently trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus.
- have been trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus.
- You must also:
- intend to continue to trade.
- reasonably believe there will be a significant reduction in your trading profits due to reduced demand or your inability to trade.
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