THE COVID-19 VACCINE PROGRAMME HAS STARTED!
This week we can reflect on the good news of the first vaccines arriving, being distributed and administered to people in the UK. The Government plans state the aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to protect those who are at most risk from serious illness or death from COVID-19.
The Government has issued new guidance and here is a summary of the main areas we have seen this week:
Business evictions ban extended until March
Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.
The Government states: “The majority of commercial landlords have shown flexibility, understanding and commitment to protect businesses during an exceptionally challenging time.
This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants 3 months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. The government is clear that where businesses can pay any or all of their rent, they should do so.”
Further guidance to support negotiations between landlords and tenants will also be published shortly. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-evictions-ban-extended-until-march?utm_source=02251f10-74cf-4654-bec2-ddc364c14e65&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Exceptional costs associated with Coronavirus
These instructions are for schools, academies, local authorities and multi-academy trusts.
The guidance has been updated to include information about how to claim for extra funding during the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency for costs incurred between March and the end of the summer term.
England- Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG): guidance for local authorities
This is guidance for local authorities on paying grants to support businesses during the November to December 2020 national lockdown and periods of local restrictions.
Change made: LRSG (Open) Version 2: applicable from 2 December 2020 onwards – guidance for local authorities published.
Working safely during coronavirus
Changes have been made for Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services – Updated guidance for England on Tier 3 restrictions to clarify that customers can enter the premises to place or collect any type of order between 5am and 11pm. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information.
Shops and branches – Updated guidance to clarify that betting shops must keep a record of all customers, visitors and staff and that workplace canteens open to staff only do not need to collect data for NHS Test and Trace. See the ‘What’s changed’ section for further information.
England- Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs
The government has issued new guidance for local authorities on paying grants to support businesses during the November to December 2020 national lockdown and periods of local restrictions to include Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs.
England- Tier 1: Medium alert
What you can and cannot do in an area in Tier 1 of local restrictions has been updated with information on visiting venues and added link to guidance on which businesses and venues are permitted to be open.
England- Tier 2: High alert
What you can and cannot do in an area in Tier 2 of local restrictions has been updated information on visiting venues and added link to guidance on which businesses and venues are permitted to be open.
See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-2-high-alert?utm_source=561d27d1-fe21-4684-a43e-8646bc5c0947&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
In a year of doubt, uncertainty and unprecedented fear for us all, it is certainly good news that there is a plan for the vaccination of those most vulnerable to the virus. Let’s hope the development of new vaccines and their distribution continues and that sometime in 2021 we can return to normal!
