General Business Help & Support News - 16.08.2021
Welcome to our round up of the latest business news for our clients. Please contact us if you want to talk about how these updates affect your business. We are here to support you!
Covid-19 Update
Last week we learnt that over 88% of UK adults have had a first dose and over 72% of adults have had both doses. More than 85 million doses of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine have been administered across the UK, the latest figures show, as the government continues to urge everyone eligible to get their vaccines as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The latest data from Public Health England (PHE) and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 52,600 hospitalisations have been prevented by vaccines up to 23 July.
The UK Government has updated the “Moving to Step 4 of the roadmap document COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021”.
The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) interim advice, is to offer COVID-19 booster vaccines to the most vulnerable, starting from September 2021. A booster dose would be offered to groups in two stages and, if possible, delivered alongside the annual influenza vaccination. In the first stage, a booster would be offered to adults aged 16 years and over who are immunosuppressed; those living in residential care homes for older adults; all adults aged 70 years or over; adults aged 16 years and over who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable; and frontline health and social care workers. As soon as practicable after the first stage, the second stage would see a booster offered to all adults aged 50 years and over; adults aged 16–49 years who are in an influenza or COVID-19 at-risk group and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals. The recommended shape of a booster campaign - including when, for whom and which vaccine(s) would be used - might change as further evidence becomes available.
See: COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
COVID-19 GOVERNMENT SUPPORT NEWS
Below is our weekly roundup of changes to government support information generally and for businesses, employers and the self-employed.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – free HMRC webinar
The latest HMRC webinar provides an overview of the CJRS extension, how employers are affected, flexible furloughing, key dates and support available.
This free webinar covers:
- the extension of the scheme
- how employers will be affected
- flexible furloughing
- key dates
- support available
This live webinar is offered several times - select the date and time that works best for you.
Access a recording of this webinar.
If you have missed any of HMRC's other recent webinars, or have been unable to join, you can now view a recording on HMRC's YouTube channel
COVID-19 testing for hauliers arriving in England and travelling from the UK.
The amber list rules for hauliers who are fully vaccinated under the UK, EU or Swiss vaccination programmes have changed.
See: Get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test if you're an HGV or van driver - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Exemption rules for isolated transport workers have been updated.
See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
The lists of and information about private providers who have self-declared that they meet the government's minimum standards for the type of commercial COVID-19 testing service they offer has been updated.
See: Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work on English farms
There is updated guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 for seasonal agricultural workers coming to England to pick fruit and vegetables on farms, and their employers.
See: Coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work on English farms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
JCVI statement, August 2021: COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17 years
The government has published an updated statement from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17 years.
See: JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17 years: 4 August 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Red, amber and green list rules for entering England
Countries rated as red, amber or green for coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow to enter England.
See: Red, amber and green list rules for entering England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)