EARN News
Overview of the easing of corona-related measures in England
Northampton, 2020-05-14
How is England easing restrictions?
Different restrictions are being lifted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In England, we entered Phase One of the restrictions on 13th May 2020. This means that we can now spend time outdoors – for example:
- sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing;
- meet one other person from a different household outdoors;
- exercise outdoors as often as we wish;
- use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of our household, or one other person; or
- go to a garden centre.
This is all subject to individuals keeping 2 metres apart.
Employees are able to return to work if:
- they can’t work from home;
- can avoid taking public transport; and
- they can observe the social distancing measures and work 2 metres apart.
Non-essential retail, restaurants, pubs, bars, gyms and leisure centres will remain closed, but there are talks of these reopening in Phase Three, which is planned for September. This also applies to places of worship.
There are also talks that Phase Two, which is planned for June, will see the gradual opening of some Primary Schools and nurseries.
All of this is subject to review as the pandemic continues.
What Assistance is there from the Government?
The Government has provided further, or increased, financial assistance to companies, employees and the self-employed. Some local governments are also granting Council Tax payment holidays for individuals.
The financial support provided by the government to companies includes:
- Paying up to 80% of employee wages (subject to a monthly cap of £ 2,500) for staff, to enable them to remain employed, but who are not working during this time;
- Reimbursing employers for statutory sick pay payments made to staff for coronavirus related sickness absences;
- Tax grants or deferrals such as:
- Deferral of VAT and self-assessment payments (subject to qualifying criteria);
- Business Rates relief (subject to qualifying criteria). This applies to England only;
- Business support grants (subject to qualifying criteria). This applies to England only.
- Self-employed income grants (subject to qualifying criteria); and
- Business Interruption Loans.
Outside of the Government’s assistance, most companies are also doing something to help their customers. For example some mortgage companies and landlords are offering mortgage or rent payment holidays, as are some car finance companies, and some banks are allowing for a certain amount of a personal banking overdraft facility to be interest-free.
Author: Rebecca List, Attorney at law
Tollers LLP