COVID-19 NEWS BULLETIN 11th MAY 2020
On Wednesday morning at 11:00 I will be presenting a webinar along with Sunil Abeyewickreme, partner in lawyers4dentists. Sunil is a barrister and solicitor with a great expanse of knowledge within dentistry.
In this webinar, we will be discussing the impact coronavirus has had on dental practices from a legal perspective and the financial support from the Government to help dentists and practices through this difficult time.
Please do tune in for a listen by registering using the following link, https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dyJmxPiWTm2P1_CN3R04XQ
Daily Press Briefing
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today gave a speech in the House of Commons to reveal more of his thinking to MPs in a 50-page report on the UK recovery strategy. This will therefore delay todays usual press briefing as Mr Johnson will give a news conference at 19:00.
C19 Update from the last few days
Yesterday we watched Boris Johnson address the nation in a pre-recorded delivery to the public. This saw a change to the current lockdown rules in England as the message is moving from Stay At Home to Stay Alert. The leaders of the four nations of the UK are choosing different ways to ease the coronavirus restrictions using their devolved powers. Attempts to maintain a unified UK-wide response faltered after first ministers Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford and Arlene Foster all rejected Boris Johnson’s new Stay Alert slogan. And so there have been few changes to the lockdown rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Boris Johnson in his address to Parliament this afternoon did comment that this difference should be short-term.
So what has altered for the lockdown rules in England?
People will be allowed to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise, sit or sunbathe in parks and play sports with household members from Wednesday. For example, this would include angling and tennis. You would still not be able to use areas like playgrounds, outdoor gyms or ticketed outdoor leisure venues, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces. Two people from different households will be able to meet in a park if they stay two metres apart. People who cannot work from home should return to the workplace – but should avoid public transport. From this week those with jobs in food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and scientific research in laboratories should return to the workplace. People should try and stay at home as much as possible. Public transport should be avoided if possible. The rule was re-iterated by the PM this afternoon as, “stay at home if you can and go to work if you must”.
The next steps have been outlined.
The government have come under criticism following last nights address on lack of clarity in the rules. And why there has been no guidance for employers in how to make the working environment Covid Secure, particularly for those sectors expecting employees to return to work this week following last night’s address. Documents on how to be Covid Secure are being written today and tomorrow which will likely give rise to plenty of comments from unions and would give employers only hours to put measures in place. Union bosses have been recorded today telling workers that they should not feel pressured to return to unsafe workplaces. Mr Johnson said this afternoon that he will be publishing guidance for businesses today and for transport tomorrow.
In the next few weeks, anyone coming into the UK from abroad will face a 14-day quarantine. However, France and Ireland will be exempt from this for now. Airline bosses have again today been in the news voicing their concerns on how they will be further hit by this.
This afternoon saw the news that government are now advising wearing a face covering when on public transport or in shops where remaining two metres apart from others is difficult. And indeed, advice on how to make a face covering is being issued. The plan for lifting lockdown has been published on gov.uk and can read here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alertand- safe-social-distancing
A flat day on the markets today.
(data captured just before close today)
And for those with an interest in digital currencies, which are continuing to climb.
Should you have any concerns or questions, we are here for our clients and will happily arrange a telephone or video call appointment to provide guidance, please either call our practice mobile 07543 368 478 or email enquiries@money4dentists.com to arrange your appointment.
We are here to work through the current situation with you, so please do get in touch.